James Tavernier has made it clear to Sky Sports News that he is not ruling out the possibility of extending his stay at Rangers. The club captain, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, emphasized that his immediate priority is to help the team secure a second Scottish Premiership crown since his arrival in 2015.
Rangers sit just a single point behind league leaders Hearts, with Celtic trailing another two points, and there are only five fixtures remaining. In this tight title race, Tavernier insists his focus remains squarely on the task at hand rather than on future negotiations. "I’m taking it day by day," the 34‑year‑old explained when asked about his future. "My wife asked me about holiday plans and I told her it’s too early for me to think about that.
I don’t like to look too far ahead – I’m concentrating on this week, on training, and on my children’s schedules. It’s a hectic life, and I’ll probably discuss any contract matters later on.
I’ve been with Rangers for a long time, and I’ll never close the door on staying, but I have to wait and see what happens." The defender has started only 23 of Rangers’ 33 league matches this campaign, as head coach Danny Röhl has rotated the squad in an effort to keep the team fresh and to maximise the contributions of other players during the title push. Tavernier admitted that the limited game time is frustrating for him. "It’s obviously frustrating because I would love to start every match, and my body isn’t slowing down at all," he said. "If I’m asked to sit on the bench, I’ll support the lads, give my input, and just be myself.
When I do get on the pitch, I give everything I have for the team." Rangers endured a difficult start to the season, managing only one league win before parting ways with manager Russell Martin in October. When Röhl took over, the club were sixth in the table, some 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts.
Since then, the team’s form has improved dramatically and, according to Opta’s statistical model, they are now the favourites to lift the trophy. "The title is in our hands," Tavernier asserted. "Our aim is simple – win every game from now until the end of the season. We treat every match as if it were a cup final, and we’ve been doing exactly that in the latter stages of the campaign.
The belief is in the squad. Over the past few months you’ve seen the results we’ve produced, the performances we’ve delivered, and the headache we’ve given the manager with selection choices. It shows we’re in a great place." He added that humility and determination remain essential. "We have to stay humble, stay driven, and keep pushing each other.
We must apply ourselves fully in training and in matches," he said. "That’s the only way we’ll keep winning and secure the championship." While the captain’s contract situation remains unresolved, his comments suggest a pragmatic approach: he will not shut the door on a new deal, but he will let the season’s outcome dictate the timing of any discussions. In the meantime, his focus stays on contributing to Rangers’ final push for the league title, supporting his teammates, and maintaining the high standards that have brought the club back into contention. As the season draws to a close, Rangers fans will be watching closely to see whether Tavernier’s leadership on and off the pitch can help the team clinch the championship, and whether his future at Ibrox will be sealed with a fresh contract or left open for further negotiation after the final whistle.