Former Hibs forward and current Record Sport columnist Tam McManus reckons James Tavernier won’t be at Rangers next season if Philippe Clement is still in the dugout at Ibrox.
The Gers skipper has endured a tough time on the pitch in recent weeks and has found himself in and out of the team under the Belgian. Tavernier appeared as a second half substitute in a 2-1 victory against St Mirren last month, with Feyenoord loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo selected ahead of him at right back.
The 33-year-old was then hooked in last weekend’s Premier Sports semi-final win over Motherwell at Hampden before Nedim Bajrami’s second half winner and was only given the last six minutes off the bench in the Light Blues 1-1 away draw with Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday night as Clement opted to play Dujon Sterling instead of his captain.
The former Newcastle United youngster still has 18 months remaining on his contract in Govan but pundit McManus firmly believes his time at Rangers is almost up and that Clement simply has better options in the right back department. Speaking on PLZ Soccer, he said: “I think this will be his last season at Rangers under this current manager, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. But you can’t forget the service he has gave for the club.
“He has been a fantastic player and servant for Rangers but time waits for no man. I think his time is probably up at Rangers in terms of his legs and his energy. I think that Rangers have got more physical and powerful players in that area now.”
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