James Tavernier doesn’t want to be Rangers captain ‘deep down’ – and would thrive if he dropped the armband.
That’s the view of former midfielder Kevin Thomson, but the pundit doesn’t see him giving the responsibility up any time soon. Tavernier has been criticised by sections of the Rangers support for his performances this season, but has remained a key player for Philippe Clement and had played every minute so far before he was subbed off late on for a rest against Dundee.
He scored his first goal of the season at the weekend after netting a career-best 24 last season, and he’s been a prolific source of goals from right-back in recent years. Having joined in 2015, Tavernier is coming up for his testimonial year, but he was linked with various moves away in the summer with the prevalent view among some fans that they’d be better off cashing in on the 32-year-old while they still can.
Thomson doesn’t quite see it that way, but does believe bequeathing the armband to someone else might be to his benefit. However he doesn’t see it happening as long as he’s a Rangers player.
Thomson told the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club: “I have to say his performances have been under standard for him. I don’t think he has covered himself in lots of glory with individual performances. But also I think he carries the club on his shoulders, with his numbers and his record.
“The unfortunate thing is Rangers fans don’t care what happened last year, or last week, or how many goals you scored over eight years. They might remember you when you leave and you might be more well-thought-of. But Rangers fans want to see results now.
“I think Tav deep down, and I say this with the greatest respect, I’m not so sure he wants to be the captain of Rangers. I think he would rather go under the radar a wee bit.
“I think the responsibility that comes with it, he will love. It’s a massive profile and prestigious honour to get. But I certainly think it brings a real unwanted attention on his shoulders and I would think he would rather go a wee bit more unnoticed.
“I actually don’t think it would be a bad thing for him (to drop the captaincy). But we’re too far down the road now. He is the captain of the club and he has to remain the captain of the club or it would cause more animosity, more fraction, so they need to ride with it.”