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He can go higher: Rangers star James Tavernier warned against Sunderland switch

James Tavernier of Rangers controls the ball during the Betfred League Cup Quarter Final at Firhill Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotl...
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James Tavernier warned against quitting Rangers for Sunderland.

James Tavernier of Rangers controls the ball during the Betfred League Cup Quarter Final at Firhill Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Rangers defender James Tavernier has recently been linked with an exit away from Ibrox, according to The Mail.

The full-back has been a regular in the side at Ibrox for the past three seasons, and Sunderland are taking an interest.

Former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae has warned him off joining the Black Cats, as he believes simply that Tavernier is capable of playing for a club in a better position.

James Tavernier of  Rangers goes close to scoring a second goal during the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round match between Rangers and Progres Niederkorn at the Ibrox Stadium on...

Rae says he was impressed with Tavernier’s performance against Celtic and used that as a yardstick to show what the defender is of.

Rae told The Mail: “I wouldn’t want Tavernier to go. And I’ve seen the interest from Sunderland.

“But, on the basis of what we saw at the weekend, you can see exactly what Rangers want from James time after time. He has the physicality to do that.

“And, if he keeps producing, that would make you think he can go even higher than – no disrespect to a great club – a Sunderland.”

James Tavernier of Rangersis seen during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and St Johnstone at Ibrox Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Sunderland are battling at the wrong end of the Championship, and appear to be in a relegation battle.

They sit in 23rd place out of 24 teams, and for Tavernier, there is a real risk that if he quits Rangers to join them, he could end up playing in League One next season.

It is easy on the basis of that possibility to see why Tavernier would heed Rae’s advice even if a tempting financial offer came in for him to leave Glasgow.