SO SAD TO LEAVE: Rangers defender James Tavernier to seal Ibrox exit sooner than expected
Rangers defender James Tavernier might be leaving as soon as this weekend, potentially by Saturday, July 20. The 32-year-old has agreed on personal terms with Trabzonspor, and now it’s up to the clubs to finalize the transfer fee, according to Yağız Sabuncuoğlu.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan is optimistic about signing a new right-back by the weekend, possibly referring to Tavernier. On July 19, Dogan told the Daily Record, “Our plan B (after Meunier’s departure) was ready and we took action immediately. Our new right-back will arrive in a day or two. Our only thought is to create a team that makes the fans happy, stands tall on the field, and fights. Our fans should not worry. Trabzonspor will fight for the top. Today or tomorrow, Trabzonspor will complete the right-back transfer. We are planning to make 5-6 more transfers. We aim to complete 2-3 of them in the next 2-3 days.”
Rangers must consider signing a new right-back to compete with Dujon Sterling, as Tavernier’s departure would create a significant void in terms of leadership and performance. While promising, Sterling lacks top-level experience and may not be ready to replace Tavernier immediately. Competition for places is essential for maintaining high performance levels and motivating players to improve.
