Rangers’ James Tavernier responds when asked about leaving Ibrox

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Rangers ace James Tavernier has been linked with a move away from Ibrox.

Rangers defender James Tavernier has told The Scottish Sun that it’s a compliment to be linked with a move back to Newcastle United this summer.

Tavernier, 27, has been a regular for Rangers ever since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2015, and his season under Steven Gerrard last term was simply outrageous.

Despite being a right back, Tavernier racked up a ridiculous 17 goals and 20 assists, and he’s unsurprisingly been linked away from Ibrox as a result.

A number of clubs have been linked with moves to sign Tavernier, and the latest is Newcastle United under new boss Steve Bruce.

The Daily Mail believe that Bruce wants Tavernier back at Newcastle, as he seeks another right back to challenge DeAndre Yedlin and Javi Manquillo.

Tavernier joined Newcastle from Leeds United back in 2008, but managed just 10 appearances for the club in his six-year stay at St James’ Park before moving on to Wigan.

Now, Tavernier has tackled the subject, admitting he sees the links to Newcastle as a compliment, but he’s focused fully on the task at hand at Ibrox.

Tavernier did though add that it ‘didn’t work out’ for him at Newcastle the first time, a potential hint that he wouldn’t be up for another go, before adding that he’s settled in Glasgow with his family as he pledged his commitment to Rangers.

“It’s a compliment and that is how I see it. But all my emphasis is on Rangers,” said Tavernier. “Things can happen in football but I’m looking forward to this season. It’s all speculation. If it stays like that then I don’t get upset about it. I’m fully focused on the job here.”

“I have always believed in my quality, even when I was younger. With the clubs I was at, Newcastle and Wigan, it didn’t work out for me. Rangers gave me a chance. The club have shown faith in me. I have been trying to repay that favour ever since, which means working harder, getting better and better. I love my football here, my family is settled and I am in a great place at the moment,” he added.