James Tavernier, the long‑serving captain of Rangers, recently told Sky Sports News that he will "never shut the door" on the possibility of signing a fresh deal with the Glasgow club. The 34‑year‑old right‑back, whose current contract expires at the close of the season, made it clear that his immediate priority is helping the team secure a second Scottish Premiership crown since he arrived in 2015.
Rangers sit just a single point behind league leaders Hearts, with Celtic trailing another two points, and there are only five matches left on the calendar. The title race is therefore hanging in a delicate balance, and Tavernier wants to keep his focus squarely on the task at hand rather than speculating about his future. "I'm taking it day by day," he explained when asked about contract talks.
"My wife was asking me about the holiday, and I said that's too far ahead for me to think about. I'm not a person who really thinks two weeks ahead, down the line. I'm really just trying to focus on this week, my training, and obviously my kids' schedules." He admitted that his life off the pitch is hectic and that any definitive decision about his next contract will likely be communicated later in the season.
"It's something 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 added. On the sporting side, Tavernier has featured in 23 of Rangers' 33 league matches so far this campaign. New manager Danny Röhl, who took over after Russell Martin's dismissal in October, has been rotating the squad and looking to other players to shoulder the load as the club pushes for the title.
Tavernier expressed a mixture of frustration and professionalism about his playing time. "It's obviously frustrating because I want to start every single game, and my body's not slowing up one bit," he said. "But if I'm asked to be on the sidelines, I'm going to support the boys no matter what, put my input in the team, and just be myself. All I can do, when given the moment, or when I start, is give it my absolute best for the team." Rangers endured a rocky start to the season, managing only a solitary league win before the managerial change.
When Röhl arrived, the side were sixth in the table, a full 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts. Since then, a remarkable turnaround has seen Rangers climb back into contention, with Opta's predictive model now listing them as favourites to lift the trophy. Tavernier emphasized that the title is within the club's grasp if they maintain consistency. "It's in our hands, and we can only constrain ourselves.
Our aim is obviously to win every single game from now until the end of the season," he asserted. "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." He highlighted the importance of squad belief, noting the recent run of positive results and performances. "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." Staying grounded, according to Tavernier, is 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 said. His comments reflect a leader who is keen to maintain a collective focus, ensuring that personal contract negotiations do not distract from the club's overarching ambition.
Beyond the immediate pressure, Tavernier also spoke about life beyond football. He mentioned his family's holiday plans and the challenge of balancing professional commitments with his children's schedules. This personal insight underscores the human side of a player often seen only through the lens of his on‑field exploits. As the final stretch of the Scottish Premiership unfolds, Rangers fans will be watching closely to see whether the club can sustain its resurgence and overtake Hearts.
The captain's resolve to give his all, whether starting or supporting from the bench, will be a key factor in the team's morale and performance. In summary, James Tavernier remains open to a new contract but insists his focus is on helping Rangers clinch the league title.
He acknowledges the frustration of limited starts, yet pledges to back his teammates wholeheartedly. With the title race tightening and only a handful of games remaining, his leadership and dedication could prove decisive in the club's quest for glory.