The Rangers captain feels that Steven Gerrard’s squad is stronger than last season.
On Sunday the Gers put the finishing touches to their preparations for the new Scottish Premiership season with a 1-0 win over English Championship side Derby County at Ibrox.
There’s European action to navigate on Thursday but most eyes are on the team’s trip to Rugby Park this weekend to face Kilmarnock.
Steven Gerrard has made eight summer signings since the end of last term, seven of them on permanent deals and another on loan.
Tavernier reckons the squad is now in better shape than last summer, believing his manager now has difficult decisions to make in picking a starting eleven.
The right-back name-checked three players in particular, telling The Record: “The new lads – Jordan [Jones], Joe Aribo, a lot of boys, George [Edmundson] at the back – they have really added strength and depth to the squad. The gaffer has a lot of selection headaches.
“The squad’s better than last season. I believe in the squad and believe we can do a really good job.”
On the face of it the Gers have recruited well so it’s no surprise to hear Tavernier talk up some of the new arrivals.
Aribo in particular looks like an inspired central midfield choice, arriving from Charlton for just a compensation fee after the expiration of his contract.
The 23-year-old has scored two goals in his first three competitive appearances and while the standard of competition has not been high, the contributions at least demonstrate he is not lacking for confidence.
The real hard work has yet to begin but Rangers have positioned themselves to have a good shot at making a bright start to the league season.
That’ll be necessary to set the tone for the coming campaign, especially if they want to be considered serious title contenders.
Last term the early goings were difficult for Gerrard and his team, drawing twice and losing twice in their first seven league games.
It’s now on the Rangers squad to live up to Tavernier’s claims and prove they are better than that over the next couple of months.
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