Steven Gerrard reacts as James Tavernier’s linked with Rangers exit

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Glasgow Rangers skipper James Tavernier has been linked with a January move away from Ibrox.

In comments reported by the Daily Mail, Steven Gerrard has insisted that there is nothing in the reports linking Rangers skipper James Tavernier with a move to Southampton this month.

The Daily Express reported early on Sunday that the Saints were looking at the right-back as a replacement for Cedric Soares, who left St Mary’s to join Inter Milan earlier in the week.

With Tavernier playing some of his best football right now, and Ralph Hasenhuttl arguably needing to strengthen his options in that position, the Ibrox faithful would have been forgiven for fearing that the club would do well to see out the window without needing to respond to a bid for their captain.

But Gerrard suggested, emphatically, that he is not expecting any contact from Southampton during the final days of the window.

“They’re not,” he said, as reported by the Daily Mail, when the suggestion was made that the Saints are looking at Tavernier. “We made a call on it this morning and they’re not.

“I think there will be talk of Tav and talk of Alfredo but the reality is there hasn’t been a solid bid for any of our players so far.

“Will one come? Possibly, I’m not sure. I’ll have to answer the question when it does. There hasn’t been a respectable bid for any of the players where we stand right now.”

It will be a big boost for Rangers to keep Tavernier. He has been superb for much of this season, both as an attacking defender and as a leader amongst the squad.

Of course, the ball remains in the Gers’ court even if bids do come in for him this month. But putting an end to the speculation will still be beneficial as Rangers look to end what has arguably been a fantastic window on a positive note.