James Tavernier

James Tavernier remained a high-output right back for Rangers in the completed Premiership season, making 34 appearances, including 25 starts, and scoring eight goals. The nine substitute outings suggested some managed usage at age 34, but the goal return still pointed to a central attacking role from defence, especially with set-piece and penalty value likely reflected in the numbers.

Tavernier’s average Premiership rating of 7.36 underlined a consistently influential season, with a high of 8.71 showing he still had match-winning peaks. The low of 6.12 pointed to some variation, but the overall rating profile was strong for a defender with a heavy attacking brief.

Tavernier’s career path has been defined by one long spell rather than frequent movement. After early loans from Newcastle United and a short Wigan Athletic period, he joined Rangers in 2015 and became a rare full-back with sustained scoring volume, with the listed league records from 2018-19 onward showing 83 goals. The peak came with 17 league goals in 2023-24, while eight in 2025-26 still represented a strong return for his position.

The transfer history shows a player who moved out of Newcastle United’s pathway through loans at Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United, then a permanent switch to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. Rangers paid £200,000 in 2015 after a Bristol City loan, a modest outlay that became a long-term first-team investment rather than a short-cycle signing.