He only managed 13 games in a Rangers shirt.
But James Tavernier reckons Manchester United superstar Amad Diallo was lucky to experience a loan stint at Ibrox. Because he’s convinced it prepared the young winger to go and excel at Old Trafford. Tavernier will come face-to-face with his old Gers team-mate on Thursday in their mouth-watering Europa League clash. Diallo arrived in Glasgow under ex-boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst in January 2022 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old – but only showed flashes of his true quality.
The Ivory Coast kid was swallowed up by an Old Firm derby at Parkhead when Rangers were hammered 3-0 by Celtic. And he couldn’t get off the bench in the Europa League Final in Seville against Eintracht Frankfurt as they suffered penalty shoot-out agony. But Diallo did start the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden that season as van Bronckhorst’s side beat Hearts to lift the trophy.
And Tavernier saw enough of his ability then to know he’d be a future success at Manchester United. Now, the wide man is one of Ruben Amorim’s key players for the Red Devils. Despite the Portuguese coach’s disastrous start as gaffer, Diallo has been a shining light and is now a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford.
Tavernier knows all about him and has warned his Rangers team-mates to be wary of his threat. He’s adamant that six months at Ibrox would have taught him things that are now helping him to thrive at United.
The Gers skipper said: “I was always convinced Amad would be a top player because he showed really good signs at Rangers.
“He was in and out of the team but then had a really bright spell on loan at Sunderland.
“He’s obviously continued that at Man United and he’s now showcasing his talent. He’ll be a danger man we need to be wary of on Thursday because he’s in form. I’m looking forward to playing against him. It was a good learning experience for him coming to Rangers. You get tested in Old Firm games or going away to places where there are only a few fans.
“So it would have been a different learning curve for him. I think it would have taught him something. He’s really progressed since then.”
As a Leeds United fan growing up, Tavernier is desperate to get one over rivals United in a Rangers shirt. He’s only played at Old Trafford once before, 12 years ago for Newcastle in a 2-1 League Cup defeat.
The Gers captain is delighted that a certain Wayne Rooney isn’t in the Manchester United ranks any longer. And he believes that on Thursday, it’s Rangers players who can steal the show by getting a memorable victory.
He said: “It would be special to get a result here – especially being a Leeds fan playing against Man United! I’ve only played here once a long time in the Carling Cup and lost so I’d like to come here and win. I’m really excited about it.
“The only thing I remember about it is Wayne Rooney played centre midfield and he was running the show. Thankfully he’s not playing now. I was young and it was a little bit daunting coming to Man United. I’m well experienced now so I can block the noise out and concentrate on the game.
“Everyone in the team has got that in them now because we’ve been involved in big games before. But we know this is a United team full of top quality players. They’ve conceded early goals of late but we just need to stick to our game plan.
“We’re going to try and get in their faces and get after them. And of course, try and take our chances and keep a clean sheet. Our aim is to come away with three points. Hopefully we don’t concede and score a few goals.
“Sometimes you can experience the atmosphere of a home crowd drop, like in an Old Firm or big European game.
“It’s obviously important to try and keep the crowd quiet here. If we stick to our game plan, hopefully that will happen.”
Tavernier has seen it all in this competition with Rangers having been an integral part of that run to the final three years ago. The team’s form away from home domestically has been poor this term but they’ve continually produced on the road in Europe.
The 33-year-old feels they can replicate that against the Premier League giants – and says it’s still a thrill for him every time he leads Rangers out on to this stage. Tavernier said: “It’s a massive occasion but that’s the case every time I lead this team out.
“Whether that’s against Fraserburgh at the weekend or Man United, it’s always an honour to lead Rangers in a game. We’ve lacked consistency this season and haven’t played the way we wanted. But in Europe, we’ve handled ourselves really well and this competition has always been good for us.
“We often rise to the challenge in the Europa League. Thursday night is a big challenge and we’re all looking forward to it. Everyone who plays a part will give 100 percent for the club and the fans. We’ll give it our all until the final whistle.”