It’s only when James Tavernier eventually leaves Rangers that we will realise just how good a servant he has been for the club.
After making his 300th appearance agains Dundee, his figures now stand at 66 goals and 94 assists, 160 goal involvements, and that doesn’t include goals when he played a key part in the build up like he did with Joe Aribo’s winner at Dens Park.
Even if he didn’t score goals, he has an assist rate of one every three games, this is better than most attacking midfielders and forwards, in short, he has been worth every penny of his £250,000 transfer fee and more.
Speaking after the 1-0 win, the skipper took time to reflect on what has been one of the most eventful Rangers careers:
“Three hundred games is a lot. They have come fast, it certainly feels as though they have come fast. But it is about the overall progression of the club, seeing how the team has come on since I have been here.
“We are reaching new heights, we are always demanding and wanting better from each other. As long as we continue doing that every day on the training pitch and in games and getting better and better, then the club will be in a great place.
“It’s been some journey, it’s been a rollercoaster.
“It has been a great journey but I have still got loads to go and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
It’s encouraging that there are clear goals that he wants to achieve with this team, we know where the weaknesses are – trophies and a failure to qualify for the Champions League.
We’ve been very poor in the cups since Steven Gerrard took over and it’s something that Tavernier will be hoping to put right this season having tasted success with the league title already.
More so than any other player, you’d think that the skipper would be looking to drive the team on and really assert our dominance, especially over Celtic, it’s clear that they haven’t strengthened over the summer and we have an incredible opportunity to guarantee group stage football in the Champions League by winning the Premiership.
If Tavernier can lead us to the league title again and add a domestic trophy to a decent Europa League campaign, then he will have every right to congratulate himself on a job well done, having experienced the lowest of lows, there’s nobody more deserving to lead us there.