Rangers fans were clamouring for the Scottish Premiership giants to hand James Tavernier a new deal and keep him at Ibrox long-term.
It does not seem long since James Tavernier was dividing opinion at Rangers.
You would have been hard pressed to find a group of fans who shared the same opinion on the swashbuckling right-back last season. After all, his performances at either end of the pitch were like day and night.
For every perfectly struck free-kick or well-weighted cross, Tavernier would be caught out of position for an opposition goal or completely disregard his defensive duties.
This time last year, then, it is difficult to imagine so many supporters clamouring for the former Newcastle United youngster to be handed a new contract at Ibrox.
But, with his current deal due to expire in 2018, fans have taken to social media to campaign for Tavernier’s extended stay on the blue half of Glasgow. And they could get their wish.
Manager Graeme Murty told the Scottish Sun at the weekend that talks over a new contract have now been opened. And the fact that Tavernier is set to stay due to popular demand is a reflection on just how far he’s come in the last 12 months.
The attacking output is as impressive as ever, perhaps even a little better. In 32 games in all competitions, Tavernier has set up eight goals and scored another six, all from right-back.
But it is at the other end of the pitch where Tavernier has earned his dues of late. The former Wigan Athletic man, who moved to Ibrox in 2015 for £250,000, looks an entirely new player from a defensive standpoint as his superb display in the 2-0 win against Aberdeen, where he pulled off three goal-saving challenges, sticking in the mind.
No wonder Rangers are not waiting around to tie the right-back down.
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