Ex-Scotland star feels Rangers player has big weakness and the stats prove his point

There was certainly no shortage of interest. HITC can confirm that Istanbul Basaksehir, Galatasaray and a Besiktas side now under the stewardship of former Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst all held talks.

But, with the Turkish transfer window closing on Friday, Tavernier has opted to commit his immediate future to a Rangers side he has captained to much success over the last six years.

Then again, with his 33rd birthday only a few weeks away, the fact that Tavernier looks set to spend at least one more season in Rangers blue should not be an excuse for the Premiership runners-up to keep kicking the proverbial can down the road.

Rangers will need to replace James Tavernier soon

Their veteran right-back cannot go on forever.

And while he remains a remarkable source of productivity from the flank – a career-best 24 goals last season – the sight of Tavernier being dragged from pillar to post by an irrepressible Celtic and the tireless Daizen Maeda during the recent Old Firm derby defeat created the impression of an aching old lion being set upon by a group of blood-thirsty hyenas.

Derek Ferguson, the former Rangers midfielder, feels that Philippe Clement could benefit from taking Tavernier out of the firing line away to Dundee United on Sunday. But that creates another question. Who will take his place?

Neraysho Kasanwirjo – the highly-versatile Feyenoord loanee brought in on deadline day – is an option. The other, of course, being Dujon Sterling.

But what Sterling offers in terms of defensive aggression, he lacks in terms of creativity. A Rangers side who dominate possession against most on the domestic stage need their full-backs to make chances as well as stop them at the other end.

And for former Scotland international James McFadden, this is where serious doubts should emerge about whether Dujon can really cut the mustard in Tavernier’s place.

“There is going to be opportunities for (Rangers) to be in positions where they are going to get crosses into the box,” McFadden says on the Open Goal podcast, broadcast on their official YouTube channel.

“I know people are saying Sterling (should play) at right-back but I don’t ever see him putting a cross in, even when he plays wide.

“He makes a run and he does great, but then he cuts it back. You don’t ever see him putting deliveries into the box, which you are probably going to need.”

In 42 Rangers appearances, Sterling has only one goal and two assists. The Chelsea academy graduate has not managed more than a single assist in a league campaign since he was plying his trade for Coventry City in England’s third tier back in 2018/19.

And McFadden, once of Everton, Birmingham and Sunderland, feels that Rangers would be better served looking into their youth ranks for an internal solution to their post-Tavernier problem.

“There is probably going to be a time where Tavernier will have to come out of the team. But I’m not sure (about Sterling),” adds the 2003 PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year.

“You are having to rely on Sterling or one of the young players. I would much rather see a young player come in.”

Sterling has made only two league starts this term. They both come in a midfield role, however, rather than at full-back.

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