Barry Ferguson says Rangers will do well to keep James Tavernier

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Rangers legend Ferguson reckons Tavernier may be too good to achieve his bucket list at Ibrox.

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has claimed in his Daily Record column on Friday that Rangers right-back James Tavernier will be attracting the interest of mid-table Premier League clubs.

Tavernier, 27, put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal earlier this week after starring in Graeme Murty’s side from the right of defence – proving effective at the back and going forward.

The former Newcastle United defender has scored six goals and laid on another eight strikes as assists, as well as helping the Gers keep 10 clean sheets. He stated, this week, that he wants to play in the Champions League and win the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox.

But Ferguson believes his ambition may be too high, and fears interest from Premier League sides in the near future with Celtic’s Kieran Tierney continually being linked with England’s best sides.

“Tavernier is clearly a man after my own heart but when he stated his ambitions for the future the other day, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’ll ever manage to fulfil them,” Ferguson said.

“Yes, his new contract might keep him at Rangers until the summer of 2021. But if he continues to improve at the rate he has done this season I honestly don’t think he’ll be around for that long.

“Some big [Premier League] clubs are looking at Kieran Tierney and, while I’m not suggesting that Tavernier is at that level right now, he’s not far off it. If Tierney is attracting interest from the top four or five English clubs then Tavernier will be in the sights of the clubs in middle of the league.”

Along with the likes of Josh Windass, Wes Foderingham, Alfredo Morelos and Declan John, Tavernier has been one of Rangers’ best performers this season as the Gers remain in the top three of the Scottish Premiership.

Tavernier is expected to make his first Gers appearance on Sunday afternoon since signing his new deal, as the Light Blues travel to New Douglas Park to face Martin Canning’s Hamilton.