Danny Röhl has made it clear that he would love to see Rangers captain James Tavernier finish 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 an era that began when he was signed from Wigan into sharp focus. Since his arrival, Tavernier has become one of the most prolific defenders in Scottish football history.
He has found the net 144 times in 562 appearances, a remarkable tally for a full‑back, and has been instrumental in guiding Rangers to a league title in 2021, a dramatic run to the Europa League final in 2022, as well as adding both the Scottish Cup and the League Cup to his list of honours. His leadership on and off the pitch has earned him the status of a modern club legend.
Röhl, speaking at the pre‑match media briefing ahead of the upcoming home fixture against Motherwell, underscored the significance of the moment for everyone involved. "It's a big one, big news for you, for us, for the club, for the fans, for all of them," the German manager said, his tone a blend of admiration and resolve.
"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 went on to stress that Tavernier has experienced both the highs and the lows of professional football.
"He saw 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 added, making it clear that a championship triumph would be the ideal send‑off for the departing star. The timing of Röhl's comments was notable. Just two days earlier, Tavernier had told the media that he was comfortable waiting until the summer to decide his future, suggesting that his departure was not yet set in stone.
When asked whether he would have preferred Tavernier to stay another year if it were entirely his decision, 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." Röhl emphasized that the focus now must be on the remaining fixtures. "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," he said, urging the squad to keep their concentration on the immediate challenges rather than looking too far ahead. With five matches left after the league split, Rangers sit just one point behind leaders Hearts and two points ahead of Celtic, making every point crucial.
The upcoming Sunday clash against fourth‑placed Motherwell will be a key test, and the team will need to maintain composure to keep the title race alive. In addition to the title chase, Röhl provided an update on squad fitness. Left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Ryan Naderi remain sidelined with injuries, but there is optimism that they could return for the final four games, bolstering the squad depth at a critical juncture. The broader context of the season adds further weight to the narrative.
Rangers have already secured a place in the Scottish Premiership live broadcast schedule on Sky Sports and have been encouraging fans to stream matches via NOW for a more accessible viewing experience. The club's supporters, who have witnessed Tavernier's evolution from a promising youngster to a club icon, are eager for a fitting farewell that matches his contributions.
Should Rangers manage to clinch the title, it would not only provide a storybook ending for Tavernier but also cement his legacy as a player who helped restore the club to the pinnacle of Scottish football after a period of dominance by rivals. The emotional resonance of such a farewell would echo through the stands of Ibrox, the club’s historic home, and across the broader football community. In summary, Danny Röhl is steering Rangers toward a decisive finish, with the hope that James Tavernier's final act will be raising the league trophy. The next few weeks promise high drama, intense competition, and the potential for a memorable conclusion to an eleven‑year chapter that has defined a generation of Rangers supporters.