By Alistair Aird
James Tavernier was born in Bradford on Halloween in 1991, and his journey to the Rangers Hall of Fame actually began at Celtic. Before that statement induces panic among the masses of Rangers supporters, the future Rangers captain played for Farsley Celtic Boys Club and was also part of the youth system at Leedsa United. And during that time, he wasn’t a right back either. In fact, he had a season as a goalkeeper and also played in central midfield.
Upon leaving the Leeds academy at the age of 16, Tavernier signed for Newcastle United. At St James’ Park he played in the same youth team as Haris Vuckic and Jak Alnwick and ahead of an FA Youth Cup tie against Oldham Athletic in December 2008, the 17-year-old Tavernier as said to have earned ‘rave reviews this year for his lightning-quick reactions and ball-playing ability rave reviews this year for his lightening [sic]-quick reactions and ball-playing ability.’
But opportunities at Newcastle would be limited. Although he featured regularly for the reserve team managed by Peter Beardsley, Tavernier would make only 10 first team appearances in the famous black-and-white jersey. His sum total of minutes in the Premiership was 36.
A series of loan moves were then undertaken, this first of which was with Gateshead in January 2011. This was initially for a period of 28 days, but this was later extended to 9 April, with the Gateshead manager, Ian Bogie, commenting that Tavernier ‘has pace to burn and likes to get forward so much that sometimes we have to rein him back.’ You can argue that over a decade later that this something Michael Beale is still trying to do.
A temporary move to Carlisle United followed – Tavernier made 17 appearances during his three-month stint in Cumbria – and then it was on to Sheffield Wednesday, the Owls bringing Tavernier in on an emergency loan. He played eight times, including a 4-4 draw against Huddersfield Town that featured four goals from Jordan Rhodes.
Remarkably, there would be a third loan move in season 2011/12. Tavernier joined MK Dons in January 2012 on a deal until the end of the season. His spell there would feature the first of many assists in his career, Tavernier creating the goal scored by Stephen Gleeson in a 5-0 win over Oldham Athletic.
After seven appearances for the Dons, he was recalled by the Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, but this didn’t signal a change in fortune. Although he made his European debut against Atromitos in August 2012, he was back on the loan market, and Shrewsbury Town took him on a month-long loan in July 2013. That was cut short by a metatarsal injury that required surgery, but upon his recovery, he was off again, this time joining Rotherham United.
His time with the Millers was productive. He scored his first senior goal on his debut against Gillingham, although I don’t think even he would have thought at that time that that would be the first of over a century of goals. Four others followed as Rotherham made the League One play-offs, and they secured promotion when they defeated Leyton Orient on penalties at Wembley. Tavernier would demonstrate the penalty prowess that we have been come accustomed too as well, scoring one of the spot kicks that secured Rotherham a place in the Championship.
The move to Rotherham wouldn’t be the last of Tavernier’s temporary transfers. In the summer of 2014, he left Newcastle and joined Wigan Athletic on a permanent deal. He made his debut as substitute against Reading, but game time after that was limited. After just 13 appearances, the nomadic Tavernier was up for grabs on a temporary basis once again. Bristol City took him on, and he scored three times in the 12 appearances he made for the Robins.
At this point, it’s hard to believe that this was the player that would lead Rangers to a 55th league title and terrorise defences as the Light Blues reached the Europa League final. In the summer of 2015, James Tavernier was at a career crossroads. Enter Mark Warburton.
Just in the door as the new Rangers manager, Warburton shelled out a paltry £250,000 to bring Tavernier to Glasgow. At the time, some may have thought that that was a significant outlay for a journeyman, but now? Bargain basement is an understatement.
Tavernier scored on his debut – a sumptuous strike in a 6-2 win over Hibernian at Easter Road– and at the time of writing that was the first of NINETY-FIVE goals for Rangers. He’s a RIGHT-BACK. One of those 95 came against Dumbarton at Ibrox on 5 April 2016 to secure a 1-0 win that sealed our return to the top flight.
In that Championship season, Tavernier registered 10 goals and 18 assists. That was just the beginning. Elevation to the higher echelons of the Scottish and indeed European game didn’t deter Tavernier, and he has to date, been credited with 112 assists on top of the 95 goals he has scored. 55 of those goals have been penalties. Deadly.
With data like that, you can see why Tavernier has been elevated to the immortal status that comes with getting your name etched in gold on the wooden panel above the magnificent marble staircase. He has led by example after taking over the armband from Lee Wallace.
Since joining Rangers in 2015, Tavernier has made 387 appearances for the club. In that timeframe he has only missed out on selection on just 35 occasions. A couple of them were through suspension due to accruing too many yellow cards – although a total of 45 in those 387 matches is admirable for a full back – and there was a knee injury in 2021 too. On some rare occasions, he has been afforded a rest. But safe to say, if the Rangers captain is fit, he plays. Indispensable? The numbers don’t lie, the skipper is part of the fabric of what is happening at the football club.
Yet, although he top scored in the Europa League in season 2021/22, Tavernier has had, and still has, his critics. The finger of blame has been pointed at the defensive side of his game – he gets caught out too often they say – but give or take a dip or two, this has improved of late. He needs to maintain that, though, if he wants to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Sandy Jardine and Gary Stevens when it comes to the debate over the finest post-war right backs to pull a royal blue jersey over their head.
Having led us to the coveted 55 in season 2020/21, Tavernier was already a great. Adding the Scottish Cup the following season leaves him just one short of the full set. Here’s hoping he rectifies that on Sunday.
James Tavernier, Rangers captain and Hall of Fame inductee. Congratulations.
His Rangers record reads:
