- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier remains a target for the Saudi Pro League, including for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
The 32-year-old has become a Rangers legend during his time at Ibrox amassing an incredible 122 goals and 127 assists in all competitions from right-back.
This season, with Philippe Clement’s side sitting at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, James Tavernier has scored 14 goals and supplied eight assists.
Added to that, he also scored the only goal of the game as Rangers beat rivals Aberdeen in the League Cup final in December.
James Tavernier and Steven Gerrard
HITC can reveal that Steven Gerrard, who tried to land Tavernier last summer, remains keen on luring him to Al-Ettifaq. However, we also understand there is interest amongst the PIF-owned teams too.
Tavernier won his only Scottish Premiership title under Gerrard’s stewardship during the 2020/21 campaign when they stopped bitter rivals Celtic from winning the ten.
The Englishman is now hoping to lead The Gers to another league title, but he is very much on the radar of a number of teams in Saudi Arabia.
Steven Gerrard in the Saudi Pro League
In 2021, Gerrard answered the Premier League call and opted to take the Aston Villa job whilst still in the Rangers dugout, which in the end, proved to be a disaster.
The legendary midfielder was sacked within a year and that road has since led him to the ever-growing Saudi Pro League.
Last July, he became the manager of Al-Ettifaq and has struggled for large parts, with a much-needed three wins from his last four league games, which sees his side sitting seventh in the table.
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