James Tavernier has made it clear to Sky Sports News that he will "never shut the door" on the prospect of signing a fresh contract with Rangers. The 34‑year‑old captain, whose current deal expires at the close of the season, insists his immediate priority is to help the Glasgow side clinch a second Scottish Premiership crown since he arrived at Ibrox in 2015.
Rangers sit just one point behind league leaders Hearts, with Celtic trailing a further two points, and only five matches remain in the campaign. The title race is therefore at a fever pitch, and Tavernier’s comments underline his desire to stay focused on the task at hand rather than becoming distracted by future negotiations. When asked about his long‑term plans, the veteran right‑back replied, "I'm taking it day by day. My wife was asking me about the holiday, and I said that's too far ahead for me to think about." He went on to explain that he does not like to look too far beyond the present, preferring instead to concentrate on his weekly training schedule, his children's routines and the immediate challenges on the pitch.
"It's a hectic life I live, so that's something that will be communicated probably further down the line," he added. Tavernier also hinted that, having spent a decade with the club, he remains open to extending his stay. "It's obviously something that I've been here for a long time, and it's something that I'll never shut the door on. But I've obviously got to wait and see what happens," he said, leaving the door ajar for a possible new deal while emphasizing that any decision will be made in due course.
The defender has started only 23 of Rangers' 33 league fixtures this season, as head coach Danny Röhl has rotated the squad and leaned on other players to maintain the push for the title. Tavernier expressed frustration at not featuring more regularly, noting that his physical condition remains strong. "It's obviously frustrating, because I want to start every single game, and my body's not slowing up one bit," he explained.
Yet he also stressed his professionalism and willingness to support his teammates from the bench. "If I'm asked to be on the sidelines, I'm going to support the boys no matter what, and put my input in the team, and just be myself.
All I can do is, when given the moment, or when I start, is give it my absolute best for the team." Rangers endured a difficult start to the season, managing just a single league victory before the dismissal of manager Russell Martin in October. Danny Röhl was appointed when the club were sixth in the table, a full 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts. Under Röhl's guidance, the team has surged back into contention, and Opta's statistical model now lists Rangers as favourites to lift the championship trophy.
Tavernier summed up the club's mentality: "It's in our hands, and we only can constrain ourselves and our aim is obviously to win every single game until now to the end of the season. We always say every game is a cup final from the start of the season, which it is, but these games are the exact same.
We've got to approach it the exact same manner as we have been doing towards the end part of the season and getting the wins no matter what." He praised the squad's belief and recent performances, noting that the consistency they have shown over the past months has given the manager a "big headache" when it comes to team selection – a sign, he argued, of a healthy competition for places. "The belief is in the squad. I think you've seen it over the past couple of months, the results that we've put in, the performances that we've been putting in, and obviously we've been giving the gaffer a big headache on team selection, so we're in a great place," Tavernier said.
The captain also warned that humility and relentless drive remain essential. "We've obviously got to stay humble and be really driven, which I know we are, but we've just got to keep on pushing each other and applying ourselves to the maximum from training and in games," he added, highlighting the collective effort required to sustain a title charge. Beyond the immediate footballing concerns, Tavernier's remarks reflect a broader narrative about player longevity, contract negotiations, and the balance between personal life and professional ambition.
As a seasoned international who has captained both club and country, his measured approach to future contracts underscores a growing trend among veteran players who prefer to let on‑field performance dictate their next steps rather than entering premature negotiations. With the season winding down, Rangers supporters will be watching closely to see whether Tavernier can add another league title to his résumé and whether his openness to a new deal translates into a contract extension that keeps him at Ibrox for years to come. The next few fixtures will be decisive, not only for the championship but also for the future composition of a squad that has already proven its resilience and ambition under a new managerial regime.
In summary, James Tavernier remains fully committed to Rangers' title aspirations, refuses to rule out a fresh contract, and is determined to give his utmost in every training session and match, whether he starts or supports from the bench. The upcoming games will test his resolve, the team's depth, and the club's ability to convert their late‑season surge into a historic league triumph.