Rangers defender James Tavernier is the new full-time captain at Ibrox.
Rangers defender James Tavernier has told the club’s official website that he ‘couldn’t stop smiling’ after being offered the club’s captaincy by manager Steven Gerrard.
The Gers have enjoyed a busy summer, as Allan McGregor, Jon Flanagan, Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, Scott Arfield, Ovie Ejaria, Lassana Coulibaly, Jamie Murphy and Umar Sadiq have all penned deals with the club.
That’s nine signings made, and with more still to come in, Gerrard’s team come the start of the season should look a whole lot different to the one which finished last season.
Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos are two players who look set to keep their places under Gerrard, as will James Tavernier, who has been handed a major role ahead of the new campaign.
With Lee Wallace seemingly set for the Rangers exit door, Gerrard was charged with the task of appointing a new captain, and he chose Tavernier, who filled in as skipper last term.
Allan McGregor and even Jordan Rossiter were touted as potential captains, but Tavernier has been given the armband – and discussed the situation with the club’s official website.
Tavernier admitted that he is delighted to be named captain and found out last Wednesday when Gerrard broke the news to him, and Tavernier admitted that he ‘couldn’t stop smiling’ afterwards.
Tavernier added that Gerrard asked him where his head was at, and he replied by saying that he is fully committed to the Gers – and has unfinished business at Ibrox.
“I am delighted to be given the captain’s armband by the gaffer and for him to put the trust in me is a huge compliment,” said Tavernier. “I found out last Wednesday morning when the gaffer called me into his office and asked what I thought of the idea and I couldn’t stop smiling, I was over the moon. I really am excited. He asked me where my head was and I said I was fully committed to this club, that I have unfinished business here and I want to see this club do well.”
“I could never have imagined being named captain of Rangers when I first arrived here but I always knew one of my ambitions was to be a captain one day. I have always seen myself as a leader and this has come at a perfect time. The gaffer said the time I have spent here over the past three seasons and the work I have done since he has been in made him think I was the right man to lead the boys. The gaffer told the rest of the team the next day so I had to keep it a secret for a day,” he added.
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