Danny Röhl has made it clear that he would love to see Rangers’ long‑serving captain James Tavernier end his eleven‑year spell at Ibrox with the "beautiful moment" of hoisting the Scottish Premiership trophy. The 34‑year‑old right‑back confirmed on Wednesday that he will depart the club at the end of the season, bringing to a close a decade‑plus of service that has seen him become one of the most iconic figures in modern Rangers history. Since his arrival from Wigan Athletic, Tavernier has amassed an impressive tally of 144 goals in 562 appearances, a remarkable return for a defender.
He captained the side to the league crown in 2021, guided the team to the Europa League final the following year, and added both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup to his list of honours. His leadership on and off the pitch has been praised by teammates, supporters and the coaching staff alike, and his departure marks the end of an era for the Glasgow club. Röhl addressed the media ahead of Rangers’ upcoming home match against Motherwell, the fourth‑placed side, with five fixtures remaining in the split section of the season. At that point, Rangers were sitting just one point behind league leaders Hearts and two points ahead of fierce rivals Celtic, meaning the title race was still very much alive.
In the pre‑match press conference, the German manager said: "It's a big one, big news for you, for us, for the club, for the fans, for all of them. Since I have been here he has been a good captain, he leads the group on and off the pitch. He's a legend of the club and has made an amazing career here. He has seen all the good moments.
He's also seen some not so good moments and hopefully at the end of the season he can see again a beautiful moment. For big players should have also have a big goodbye, and the biggest goodbye would be going with a title." Röhl’s comments underscored the emotional weight of the situation. He explained that while Tavernier had previously hinted he would take his time to decide on his future, the captain ultimately chose to move on after careful consideration. "That's not a topic for today.
He made the final decision. We were very clear on our process. We said, if the time is right, we will speak about him.
He gave me the information before it came out. It was very fair from him.
He spoke to the group and I think the most important thing is now, you have 21 days to go. Five games, focus on these five games, and then you will have an incredible goodbye, what he deserves, and this is all that is important for me, for us, for the group, focus to what happens now," Röhl added.
The manager also disclosed that left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Ryan Naderi were still sidelined with injuries, though there was hope they could return for the final four matches of the campaign. Their absences add another layer of challenge as Rangers aim to secure the points needed to clinch the title and give Tavernier the send‑off he deserves. Beyond the immediate title chase, Tavernier’s legacy at Rangers extends into several broader aspects of the club’s recent resurgence.
His ability to contribute goals from defense, particularly from set‑pieces and long‑range efforts, has often turned tight games in Rangers’ favour. Moreover, his work ethic and professionalism have set a benchmark for younger players in the squad, many of whom have spoken publicly about the influence he has had on their development. The Scottish Premiership, broadcast live on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW, has seen a surge in viewership as the title race tightened. Fans across Scotland and beyond have been treated to a series of dramatic encounters, with Rangers, Hearts and Celtic trading leads throughout the season.
The atmosphere at Ibrox for the Motherwell match is expected to be electric, as supporters hope to see their captain lift the league trophy one final time. If the Rangers manage to finish the season as champions, it would provide a storybook ending for Tavernier, cementing his status as a club legend and giving him a fitting farewell.
Even if the title slips away, his contributions over the past eleven years will be remembered through the trophies he helped win, the records he set, and the passion he displayed every time he stepped onto the pitch. In summary, Danny Röhl is urging his squad to stay focused on the remaining fixtures, to give James Tavernier the grand exit he merits, and to chase the "beautiful moment" of a championship triumph. The next few weeks will be crucial for both the title race and for honoring a player whose impact on Rangers will be felt long after his final whistle. (Note: The original video player recommendation to use Chrome for better accessibility has been omitted, as it does not affect the core narrative.)