Glasgow Rangers are reportedly willing to consider letting James Tavernier leave Ibrox.
The Mail suggests Tavernier is entering the final 18 months of his contract at Ibrox and hints that the Gers’ funds could do with the boost while the defender would be interested in a return to England, hence the willingness to consider any potential bids that come in from the Championship pair or any other club that may make a move.
While it may perhaps make some sense to consider selling Tavernier from a business point of view, it would surely be a huge mistake on Rangers’ part if they let the 26-year-old leave.
Tavernier has been one of the first names on the teamsheet since his arrival in 2015, and has repaid that faith by regularly providing goals and assists for his teammates and also proving to be a decent defender for the Gers.
In terms of goals and assists, he has had a direct hand in eight Scottish Premiership goals this season. Replacing that kind of contribution would surely cost, at best, most of the money they may receive for Tavernier, and with Lee Hodson regularly coming in for criticism from the Gers fans, it appears that Graeme Murty does not exactly have a replacement waiting in the wings.
If Rangers seriously want to establish themselves as one of the undisputed top two teams in Scotland, they simply have to look to keep their best players. And while that strategy may cost them in the short-term, the long-term gains of keeping their strongest players at Ibrox should eclipse any transfer fee that may come in for a player who will be out of contract in the summer of 2019.
Instead, Rangers should look at the final 18 months of Tavernier’s contract as a chance to prove that he would be foolish not to sign another deal with the club, and only consider selling the defender if an eye-watering bid comes in. He may not be their best player, but it is certainly a worrying sign if they do decide to let him leave.
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