James Tavernier has been in sensational form this season, leading the way for both goals and assists in the Scottish Premiership, all whilst contributing to the best defence since the “Iron Curtain“.
One man who knows just impressive his stats are is fellow right-back and former Rangers defender Alan Hutton who, speaking to Football Insider, has encouraged the board to get the skipper signed up to new contract as soon s possible.
When asked if it was the right time to get Tav tied down to a new deal, he said:
“I think so, I would be talking to him now, ASAP, because he’s that important.
“When he doesn’t play, which is very rarely, you see how much they miss him. I think he’s really grown into the role of a leader, I think all the boys round about him look to him to do something so I would want to tie him down as soon as possible.
“Look, it works both ways, if a team did happen to come in for him in January and he’s just signed a new deal, the fee’s only going to go up the way. It actually protects Rangers as well and I’m sure that they would offer a Tavernier a deal that’s worth of his performances.”
The 29-year old – recently linked with West Ham for £7million – has just 18-months left to run on his deal wen the January transfer window opens and few would be surprised if one of the first signings made is adding a couple of years onto his deal, even if it is just to bump his value up for any potential summer move.
Tavernier is approaching a crossroads in his career and everyone knows that, if he does decide to leave Rangers, it will be his last big payday, if he writes his name in the record books when the trophies are being handed out this season, few would grudge him a potentially life changing transfer back down south.