Danny Röhl has expressed a heartfelt wish that James Tavernier, the long‑serving captain of Rangers, should close out his spell at the club by lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy – a moment he describes as the "beautiful moment" that would cap off an illustrious career. The 34‑year‑old right‑back made it clear on Wednesday that he intends to depart Rangers at the end of the current season, bringing to an end an eleven‑year association that began when he was signed from Wigan Athletic. During his time at Ibrox, Tavernier has become a true club icon.
He has found the net 144 times in 562 competitive appearances, a remarkable tally for a defender, and has been instrumental in guiding Rangers back to the summit of Scottish football. Under his leadership the side clinched the league title in 2021, reached the Europa League final the following year, and added both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup to their trophy cabinet. His contributions on and off the pitch have earned him a reputation as a leader who sets standards for his teammates and embodies the spirit of the club.
Rangers currently sit just one point behind league leaders Hearts with two points separating them from Celtic, with five matches remaining after the league split. The next fixture is a home game against fourth‑placed Motherwell on Sunday, a match that could prove pivotal in the title race.
When Röhl was asked about Tavernier’s impending departure at his pre‑match press conference, he responded with genuine emotion: "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." Röhl went on to emphasize the desire for a fitting farewell: "He saw all the good moments.
He's also saw 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." The coach’s comments underline the significance of a championship win as the ultimate send‑off for a player of Tavernier’s stature.
The captain’s own statements had surprised many supporters just two days earlier, when he told the media that he was comfortable waiting until the summer to decide his future. Röhl was asked whether he would have preferred Tavernier to stay another year if the decision were solely his.
The German manager replied that it was not the appropriate time to discuss such hypotheticals, noting that the player had already made his choice. "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 explained. In addition to the emotional narrative, Röhl also addressed squad fitness concerns. He confirmed that left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Ryan Naderi remain sidelined with injuries, though there is optimism that they could return for the final quartet of fixtures, providing depth as the title race intensifies. The broader context of this story reflects the deep connection between Rangers and its supporters.
Over the past decade, Tavernier has become synonymous with the club’s resurgence, embodying the fighting spirit that fans cherish. His leadership was evident not only in the moments of triumph but also during periods of adversity, such as the challenging spells that followed the Europa League final loss.
The captain’s professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to community initiatives have further solidified his status as a beloved figure at Ibrox. As the season draws to a close, the stakes are high.
A victory in the remaining fixtures could see Rangers overtake Hearts and reclaim the Scottish Premiership crown, delivering the "beautiful moment" Röhl envisions for Tavernier. Conversely, a slip could leave the club finishing second or third, still a respectable position but lacking the fairy‑tale ending the captain and his manager hope for. For supporters watching from home, the matches are being broadcast live on Sky Sports and can also be streamed via the NOW platform, ensuring fans have multiple avenues to follow the drama unfold.
The excitement surrounding the final stretch of the league has also prompted promotional offers, such as a Super 6 competition where participants can win a share of a £250,000 prize pool. In summary, Danny Röhl’s heartfelt wish for James Tavernier to finish his Rangers career by lifting the league trophy captures the emotional weight of a decade‑long partnership. With the title race still open, the next five games will determine whether the captain’s farewell is marked by a championship celebration or a respectable but less glittering conclusion.
Regardless of the outcome, Tavernier’s legacy at Rangers is already cemented as one of the modern greats of Scottish football.