'This isn't the end yet' - Tavernier determined to finish on high
James Tavernier has confirmed his 11-year spell at Rangers will end this summer, but the captain insists "this isn't the end just yet", with the team "fully focused on pushing for the league title". The 34-year-old, who joined from Wigan in 2015, confirmed earlier this week he had not yet been offered a new deal. He has now revealed his time at Ibrox will conclude at the end of the season, which he hopes will end in a second Scottish Premiership title triumph.
"After a lot of thought, I've made the decision that this will be my final season at the club," Tavernier said on Instagram. "This hasn't been an easy decision. This club has been a huge part of my life and my family's over the past 11 years.
"It's given me so much, both on and off the pitch. From the moment I arrived, I've always tried to give everything I had to represent it in the right way. "To have had the honour of being made captain of this club since 2018 is something I will always be incredibly proud of.
"Leading this team out, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role has meant more to me than I can properly put into words. " Tavernier has already captained Rangers to a Scottish top-flight title in 2021, as well as a Scottish Cup, a League Cup and a Europa League final. He has achieved that while providing remarkable attacking output from right-back, contributing a combined goals and assists tally of 292 over 562 games.
Despite now not being a guaranteed starter, Tavernier has still featured from the off in 36 of his 49 appearances this term and is Rangers' top scorer with 14 goals. Tavernier will hope to add another Premiership medal to his collection as Rangers go into their final five Premiership fixtures just one point behind leaders Hearts. "We've shared the highs and the lows together and some truly incredible moments along the way," he added.