James Tavernier has made it clear to Sky Sports News that he will "never shut the door" on the prospect of extending his stay at Rangers. The 34‑year‑old captain, whose current contract expires at the close of the season, emphasized that his immediate priority is to help the club secure a second Scottish Premiership crown since he arrived in Glasgow in 2015. Rangers sit just one point behind league leaders Hearts, with Celtic trailing another two points, and there are only five matches left to decide the title.
Despite the pressure, Tavernier insists he is taking each day as it comes. When asked about his future, he laughed that his wife had been asking about holiday plans, to which he replied that thinking that far ahead was premature. "I’m not the type of person who plans two weeks ahead," he said. "I’m concentrating on this week – my training, my kids’ schedules and the matches we have in front of us." He added that his personal life is hectic and that any decision about a new deal will be communicated later, after the season’s outcome is clearer.
"I’ve been at this club for a long time and I’ll never close the door on staying," he affirmed, "but I have to wait and see what happens." On the pitch, Tavernier has started 23 of Rangers’ 33 league fixtures this campaign. New manager Danny Röhl has been rotating the squad, looking for fresh options to push the team over the line. The defender admitted that it is frustrating not to be in the starting eleven every match, especially when he feels his body is still in peak condition. "If I’m asked to sit on the bench, I will still give my full support to the lads, offer my input and just be myself," he explained.
"When I am given the chance, I will give everything for the club." Rangers endured a turbulent start to the season, managing only a single league win before sacking manager Russell Martin in October. Röhl arrived with the side languishing in sixth place, some 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts.
Under his guidance, the team has surged back into contention, and Opta’s statistical model now lists Rangers as the favourites to lift the trophy. Tavernier stressed that the title race is firmly in the players’ hands. "We can only control ourselves.
Our aim is to win every single game from now until the final whistle of the season," he said. "We treat every match like a cup final – that’s how we’ve approached the latter part of the campaign, and it’s brought us the results we need." He praised the squad’s belief and recent performances, noting that the consistency has given the manager a difficult time selecting the best XI.
"The belief is in the squad," he said. "You’ve seen the results and the level of play over the past few months. We’ve been giving the gaffer a real headache with our form, which is a good problem to have." The captain also highlighted the importance of humility and drive.
"We have to stay humble, stay driven, and keep pushing each other," Tavernier added. "We must apply ourselves fully in training and in matches if we want to finish the season on top." Looking ahead, the Rangers faithful can expect a decisive run‑in, with the club’s fate hinging on the remaining fixtures. If the team can maintain its momentum, they could clinch the title and give Tavernier the perfect platform to negotiate a new contract, ensuring his leadership continues into the next era of Scottish football.
The captain’s openness about his future, combined with his unwavering commitment to the club’s immediate goals, paints a picture of a seasoned professional who balances personal considerations with a relentless pursuit of success on the field.