James Tavernier reveals Rangers new contract talks as skipper admits rollercoaster season is one-off

The veteran concedes his 11th campaign at Ibrox has been totally different to the previous 10

James Tavernier admits he’s never known a season like it.

In 10 years at Rangers, the Ibrox skipper hasn’t been part of a campaign like this – with so many clubs competing for the title. He claims most people had already ruled them out of the race. And Tavernier says when ex-gaffer Russell Martin was relieved of his duties earlier this term – it’s as livid as he’s ever been in a decade at the club.

But with Danny Rohl at the helm, things are looking up again for Rangers. And even though they’ve still got Hearts and Celtic above them in the Premiership table – as well as in-form Motherwell on their coat-tails – Tavernier insists their aim is still to be crowned champions.

After embarrassing defeats in Europe in Club Brugge and Brann Bergen – which was Rohl’s first game – the 34-year-old was fuming with the players’ effort and commitment. But ahead of Saturday’s crucial Old Firm derby at Parkhead, Tavernier is adamant they’re now back in the mix for honours.

He said: “This is the first season since I’ve been here that it’s been like this. It’s probably good from the outside to see different teams involved in the league. But we obviously have our ambitions and aims.

“From where we were in the season, some people might have completely written us off. We’ve just had to keep our heads down and just keep chipping away. We have to keep our consistency high, we can’t afford to drop standards. We have to be solid until the end of the season.

“That’s my aim every single season here (to win the title). To work and play all season then get the benefits of it at the end is the reason you’re here at Rangers – to win league titles. So we have to work really hard until the last day and push ourselves.

“(Being angry after Bergen). It was down to us as players, the way we applied ourselves as a team and as individuals. That’s what I was most angry about. But that’s definitely changed since then, the boys have really stepped up.

“It was still early days back then but they’ve really taken what the manager wants on board. We’re getting better. The majority of the signings are better and I’m much more happy than I was previously this season.”

Tavernier has revealed that talks have already taken place behind the scenes at Ibrox to discuss his future. The captain is out of contract next summer but wouldn’t speak about the possibility of him staying in Glasgow.

He’s savoured highs as skipper, like winning the title in 2021 and leading Rangers to a Europa League Final. But in Old Firm derbies, he’s only tasted victory 10 times in 43 games against Celtic.

Tavernier knows this has been a tough season for everyone at the club. But he’s convinced they can get a positive result on the other side of the city to get 2026 off to the perfect start. He said: “We always want to be in that shout (for the title race). Consistency is always the key.

“You have to put in performances and put results together to put yourself in with a shout. We’ve had setbacks. But overall we’ve worked hard to try and put ourselves in it and we’ll fight all the way to the end.

“I’m really excited. We ended the year on a good note, getting three points against a tough side (St Mirren). Saturday will be another challenge but I’m excited to see what the game brings.

“Everyone has obviously spoken about their (Celtic) formation and style of play. Our analyst boys have done a lot of homework on them and we’ll have a couple of meetings ahead of the game.

“But we just have to focus on what we’re going to do. We want to be aggressive without the ball. And on it, try to be composed, get to their final third and create chances.

“I’ve played there in the past at times when we’ve done well and put the crowd against them. That’s because of how we’ve played so it’ll be about how we start the game.”

Tavernier also knows that even a victory over Celtic would bring no guarantees. He’s told potential debutants, like defender Emmanuel Fernandez, to savour the Old Firm experience – without getting caught up in the emotion of it.

He said: “We still have to get better as a team. We know we’re not perfect but we’re training really hard to get the performance we want. If we go there and win it will give us good confidence but you also need to be humble about it.

“We’ve seen teams come and beat us at Ibrox then lose the following week. We’re aiming for the win but we have to keep grounded and work hard at it.

“I’ll tell the boys to enjoy it and embrace it. It will be very hostile but you have to stay calm. There will be moments in the game when they have possession and are creating chances.

“But that’s when you have to stay cool, calm and collected.”