James Tavernier has been compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold
(Credit:Imago)
Carla Devine
Thu 22 May 2025 15:39, UK
James Tavernier has received mixed reviews at Rangers this season.
The Rangers captain has continued to be a regular in the Light Blues squad, but has come under criticism as his side struggled on the pitch.
Tavernier enters the final year of his contract this summer, which has left some questioning whether his future still lies at Ibrox.
Kris Boyd has weighed in on the conversation, making a bold comparison to Trent Alexander-Arnold in his analysis.
Rangers stadium
There will be plenty of change at Ibrox this summer. (Credit: Imago)
Tavernier labelled similar to Alexander-Arnold
Tavernier may be 33-years-old, but that hasn’t stopped him from making 33 Scottish Premiership appearances for Rangers this season.
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As a senior player in the squad, he has been expected to take the brunt of some of the disappointment directed from supporters at Ibrox this term.
With the Gers finishing the season 17 points behind rivals Celtic at the top of the table, it has left questions surrounding the majority of the squad.
Once the 49ers appoint a new manager and complete their takeover at Ibrox, there will be plenty of movement in Glasgow and some have argued that it is time for the captain to move on.
Speaking to the Daily Record (22 May), Boyd offered his perspective, making a comparison to Alexander-Arnold in the process.
The former Rangers man said: “For James Tavernier, he’s been a fantastic servant for the club, but sometimes when a player has been there for so long, you take them for granted.
“There’s no doubt his assists have been off the scales, there is no getting away from it. His numbers are incredible. But because Celtic have been so dominant during James Tavernier’s time in Scotland, everyone will poke fun and have a laugh at him in terms of not being able to win things as Rangers captain, but a lot of it is unfair.
“James will tell you it comes with the territory and says you will get stick, but I look at James Tavernier and think there is more to give.
“The amount of games he churns out and number of games he performs in as a full back, you can’t have it both ways. I think the way he plays going forward, you’re going to have some vulnerabilities defensively.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold is exactly the same at Liverpool. I’m using him because that’s the way he plays too and there’ll be other ones in football who are the exact same.
“It’s very rare you get someone who has the numbers he’s got moving forward and is an excellent defender because if that was the case, he wouldn’t be playing in Scotland.”
Kris Boyd
Boyd has backed Tavernier at Rangers. [Credit: Imago]
Tavernier can have leave Rangers on a high
It’s been a disastrous season for Rangers, and Tavernier will know that as much as anyone else, knowing things have to be put right next term.
With Tavernier at the forefront, it’s no surprise that he has come under plenty of criticism from supporters, but it seems more likely that he will stay put and see out the final year of his contract at Ibrox.
A comparison to a player making the move to Real Madrid does feel extreme for the 33-year-old, but as Boyd says, his eight assists from defence have been impressive this term.
Appearances Goals Assists
33 4 8
Tavernier’s contributions this season.
There is plenty to build upon and the senior player has to be prepared to show supporters that he is not past it just yet.
With the potential return of Steven Gerrard as manager at Rangers, Tavernier could well be ready to show his best levels one final time under his former boss.
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