Alan Johnson
Well-Known Member
STEVEN GERRARD has revealed he expects summer bids for skipper James Tavernier.
And the Rangers boss insists his club captain could handle a move to a top club in the English Premier League.
Tav, 27, has been linked with Aston Villa and West Brom. Gerrard is desperate NOT to lose him during the transfer window — but reckons the right-back will be attracting attention.
The Gers boss — set to confirm the signing of Greg Stewart on a two-year deal this week — said: “Tav could potentially get to the level of the top full-backs in England.
“If you analyse it, he’s got the body to do it. He’s robust enough to do it and he’s got the technical ability to do it.
“His quality from the side, in terms of crossing and assists, it doesn’t matter what league you play in.
“If you’re putting that in, people will finish it off.
“He’s improved defensively but can still get better. It’s no surprise that he’s been on the agenda for most of this season.
“Whenever a transfer window opens, there’s interest in Tav.
“He has been so consistent and, for me as a manager, he’s been there for every game and every training session.
“It’s been me who’s pulled him away from it at times. If I didn’t he’d have played in every game.
“He’s got the body and capacity for any league out there.
“In saying all of that, I want him in this league and in my team.
“There have been calls about Tav with clubs interested. I am sure there still is.
“We’ve got a fantastic captain/manager relationship. We know his agent very well and, as with any player, I’m open to these chats at any time.
“The reality is, and I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but every player has his price.
“Every manager up and down the UK has the same issues.
“But I can’t be any clearer, I want my best players to stay at Rangers and Tav certainly comes into that bracket.
“When I looked at appointing a captain, I did a lot of due diligence and asked a lot of questions about the dressing room.
“Looking from afar, Tav was always one of the most consistent Rangers players I’d seen on the eye.
“Then after chatting to him and knowing he wanted to stay, that was a big help.
“I didn’t want to bring a new player in as captain.
“I did a lot of homework on it but it could have been another few because we have good leaders in here.”
And the Rangers boss insists his club captain could handle a move to a top club in the English Premier League.
Tav, 27, has been linked with Aston Villa and West Brom. Gerrard is desperate NOT to lose him during the transfer window — but reckons the right-back will be attracting attention.
The Gers boss — set to confirm the signing of Greg Stewart on a two-year deal this week — said: “Tav could potentially get to the level of the top full-backs in England.
“If you analyse it, he’s got the body to do it. He’s robust enough to do it and he’s got the technical ability to do it.
“His quality from the side, in terms of crossing and assists, it doesn’t matter what league you play in.
“If you’re putting that in, people will finish it off.
“He’s improved defensively but can still get better. It’s no surprise that he’s been on the agenda for most of this season.
“Whenever a transfer window opens, there’s interest in Tav.
“He has been so consistent and, for me as a manager, he’s been there for every game and every training session.
“It’s been me who’s pulled him away from it at times. If I didn’t he’d have played in every game.
“He’s got the body and capacity for any league out there.
“In saying all of that, I want him in this league and in my team.
“There have been calls about Tav with clubs interested. I am sure there still is.
“We’ve got a fantastic captain/manager relationship. We know his agent very well and, as with any player, I’m open to these chats at any time.
“The reality is, and I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but every player has his price.
“Every manager up and down the UK has the same issues.
“But I can’t be any clearer, I want my best players to stay at Rangers and Tav certainly comes into that bracket.
“When I looked at appointing a captain, I did a lot of due diligence and asked a lot of questions about the dressing room.
“Looking from afar, Tav was always one of the most consistent Rangers players I’d seen on the eye.
“Then after chatting to him and knowing he wanted to stay, that was a big help.
“I didn’t want to bring a new player in as captain.
“I did a lot of homework on it but it could have been another few because we have good leaders in here.”