BREAKING NEWS: Rangers part ways with James Tavernier, identify replacement and inform four others to depart.
James Tavernier has been warned that his time at Rangers is up, and one analyst believes more stalwarts will follow him out the door. A 5-2 victory against Dundee on Tuesday keeps the Premiership title chase alive for the time being, but Celtic lead Philippe Clement’s side by three points, with one game remaining against Hearts before the season finishes. One Celtic point against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park or St Mirren at home this weekend will be enough to secure Hoops victory.
The recent Old Firm 2-1 defeat has prompted renewed scrutiny of the Rangers players ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on May 25th. Rory Loy, a former Ibrox, Dundee, and Falkirk striker, believes a big summer is on the road, with the captain among those who might join.
Loy believes Tavernier, who is one year away from his testimonial after signing in 2015, is one of several players who could leave, including Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram, who are out of contract. And Dujon Sterling is the man he would choose as his replacement. Loy told Sportsound: “I don’t want to undervalue his efforts here, especially on an individual basis; he has been wonderful through extremely difficult times.
“I believe that all good things must come to an end. There have been many pleasant times while he has been here. But I believe it is time for him to go on, and if there is an offer to come from the Middle East or elsewhere, I would accept it wholeheartedly. “I would start next season with Dujon Sterling in his natural position as my right back. People will argue till they are blue in the face that you are removing 20 goals from the squad. Fine.
“No club in history has been, or should be, reliant on their right-back to score enough goals to win a league. That should never happen, in my opinion. That also includes Lundstram, Barisic, and Goldson. I believe it is time for those four to go on and make a fresh start. They’ve been good to the club and done well.”