Danny Röhl has expressed a heartfelt wish that James Tavernier, the long‑standing captain of Rangers, should close out his spell at the club by lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy – a moment he describes as "beautiful" and fitting for a player of Tavernier's stature. The 34‑year‑old right‑back, who has been a fixture at Ibrox for over a decade, confirmed on Wednesday that he will depart the Glasgow side at the end of the current season after an eleven‑year association that began when he arrived from Wigan Athletic.
During his time in Scotland, Tavernier has become one of the most prolific defenders in the league’s modern era. He has found the back of the net 144 times in 562 appearances, a remarkable tally for a full‑back, and has been instrumental in guiding Rangers to a series of major honours.
Under his leadership the club reclaimed the Scottish league title in the 2020‑21 campaign, and the following season they reached the Europa League final, a feat that highlighted the team's resurgence on the European stage. In addition to those achievements, Tavernier has also collected both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup, cementing his legacy as a modern club legend.
With five matches remaining after the winter break, Rangers sit just one point behind league leaders Hearts and maintain a two‑point cushion over arch‑rivals Celtic. The next fixture, a home showdown against fourth‑placed Motherwell on Sunday, will be crucial in keeping the title challenge alive and providing Tavernier with a platform to add another accolade to his résumé. When questioned about the departing captain at a pre‑match press conference, Röhl did not shy away from the emotional weight of the situation. He 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." The German manager underscored the dual nature of Tavernier's journey, noting that the player has witnessed both triumphs and setbacks: "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." Tavernier's own comments earlier in the week had surprised many, as he had previously indicated in media interviews that he was comfortable waiting until the summer to make a final decision about his future. Röhl was asked whether he would have preferred the captain to stay for another year if he had the choice. The coach replied, "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 also disclosed that left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Ryan Naderi are still sidelined with injuries, though there is optimism that they could return for the final quartet of fixtures. Their potential comeback adds depth to a squad that will need every ounce of quality to sustain the title push and give Tavernier the platform he deserves for a proper farewell.
Beyond the immediate drama, Tavernier's departure marks the end of an era for Rangers. Since his arrival in 2013, he has become synonymous with the club's identity, embodying both the fighting spirit on the pitch and a professionalism off it.
His leadership helped transform a side that had been chasing European relevance into a domestic powerhouse capable of challenging for multiple trophies in a single season. The captain's influence extended to younger players, many of whom cite his work ethic and dedication as a template for their own development. Looking ahead, the final stretch of the season will be a test of character for both the club and the departing captain.
If Rangers can secure the championship, it will provide a storybook ending for Tavernier—a fitting tribute that aligns with Röhl's wish for a "beautiful moment" to cap off an illustrious career at Ibrox. Even if the title slips away, the respect and admiration earned over eleven seasons will ensure that Tavernier's legacy endures, with fans likely to remember his decisive goals, his relentless runs down the right flank, and his unwavering commitment to the cause.
For supporters eager to follow the climax of this narrative, the Scottish Premiership remains available for streaming on NOW and live on Sky Sports, ensuring that the drama of the title race and Tavernier's farewell can be experienced in real time. As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Rangers, their captain, and the possibility of a final, triumphant lift of the league trophy that would cement James Tavernier's place among the all‑time greats of Scottish football.