Rangers are potentially three games away from winning the title
Rangers stand on the brink of their first title since 2011, and few have done more to drive them on than James Tavernier.
The captain has been an integral part of this seasons success, contributing 17 goals and 15 assists in 41 games across all competitions.
Ibrox legend Brian Laudrup won three league titles in his time at the club, and believes the 29-year-old’s output has been “phenomenal”.
If both Rangers and Celtic win their next two Premiership matches, Steven Gerrard’s men will need just a point in the derby on March 21 to be crowned champions at Celtic Park.
The Dane fears that Tavernier will miss out on that vital occasion, after he was taken off injured in last week’s 4-3 win over Royal Antwerp in Belgium.
In a clip shared by Radio Clyde after the 4-1 victory against Dundee United on Sunday, Gerrard said: “James and Kemar (Roofe) will miss the next couple of weeks at least.
“Difficult to put an exact date of return or game to return, but they’ll certainly miss the next couple of weeks.
“All being well, we should see them in two to three weeks, all being well.”
That gives the right-back a chance of being fit in time to take on Celtic, and Laudrup says no-one deserves to celebrate the title more.
In his column on page 93 of Tuesday’s Scottish Daily Mail, he said: “I really hope Tavernier makes it in time for the decisive day. If anyone deserves to be on the pitch when Rangers win the title, then it’s the captain.
“He has been essential to this whole campaign. When the club needed it most, he has come up with the best season of his entire career.
“It would be a real disappointment, just terrible luck, if he wasn’t fit enough to help get the result that started the celebrations, whenever that might be.
“Even then, nothing could take away from what he has done since August. You looked at Tavernier and hoped he could respond to all the disappointment endured towards the end of the last campaign.
“What a response he has delivered.
“He’s had plenty to cope with. It’s been almost unheard of for a Rangers captain to go through this period of time without winning a trophy. A lot of scrutiny and criticism has been sent his way over previous seasons.
“Now just look at his stats – 17 goals and 15 assists. Even for an actual attacking player that would be phenomenal output.
“For a full-back – admittedly one who is very offensive in the way he plays – it’s just sensational.
“There would be something special about him leading the team to glory at Parkhead, if that’s how the situation falls.
“We have to remember it has been only three years since Tavernier was part of the Rangers team beaten 5-0 when Celtic clinched the 2017/18 title at their own ground.
“To go back there and officially become a champion himself would be the most incredible sense of personal closure.”
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