Danny Röhl has made it clear that the ideal way for James Tavernier to close out his spell at Rangers would be to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy one final time. The 34‑year‑old right‑back, who has been a mainstay at Ibrox for more than a decade, confirmed on Wednesday that he will depart the club at the end of the current season after eleven years of service.
Since making the move from Wigan Athletic, Tavernier has become one of the most prolific and beloved figures in the club’s modern era. In 562 appearances he has found the net 144 times, an astonishing return for a defender, and he has captained the side to a league title in 2021, a Europa League final in 2022, as well as multiple domestic cup victories in the Scottish Cup and the League Cup.
His leadership on and off the pitch has earned him a place in the hearts of the Rangers faithful, and his departure marks the end of an era. With five matches left in the split portion of the season, Rangers sit just a point behind league leaders Hearts and maintain a two‑point cushion over rivals Celtic. The next fixture is a home game against fourth‑placed Motherwell on Sunday, a match that could prove crucial in the title chase and in giving Tavernier a chance to add another silverware piece to his résumé before he hangs up his Rangers shirt. When asked about Tavernier’s impending exit during his pre‑match media conference, Röhl emphasized the emotional weight of the situation.
“It’s a big one, big news for you, for us, for the club, for the fans, for all of them,” the German coach said. “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 explain his vision for the departing captain’s final moments.
“He has seen 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.” The sentiment expressed by Röhl resonated with many supporters who have followed Tavernier’s journey from a promising youngster to a club icon. The captain’s own statements had surprised some observers just two days earlier when he told the media that he was comfortable waiting until the summer to decide his future. Now, with the decision already made public, the focus has shifted to how the team can deliver the “beautiful moment” that Röhl envisions. When pressed about whether he would have preferred Tavernier to stay for another season if the choice were entirely his, the coach responded pragmatically: “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 four fixtures.
Their potential comeback could provide additional depth as Rangers push for the title in the closing stages. The narrative surrounding Tavernier’s farewell is more than just a football story; it reflects the deep connection between a player and a community. Over his eleven‑year tenure, Tavernier has become synonymous with Rangers’ identity – his trademark long‑range goals, his tireless work ethic, and his vocal leadership have all contributed to a legacy that will be remembered long after he departs.
Looking ahead, the next five games will be decisive. A win against Motherwell would keep Rangers within striking distance of Hearts, while a slip could hand the advantage to their rivals.
The squad will need to maintain concentration, manage injuries, and harness the emotional charge surrounding Tavernier’s final weeks. For fans, the prospect of seeing their captain lift the league trophy one last time is a powerful motivator.
It offers a narrative closure that aligns with the romantic notion of a player exiting on a high note, a storybook ending that every supporter dreams of. Whether Rangers can deliver that outcome remains to be seen, but the determination expressed by Röhl and the commitment shown by the players suggest that they will fight until the very end. In summary, Danny Röhl’s message is clear: the most fitting tribute to James Tavernier’s remarkable career at Rangers would be a championship triumph.
With just over three weeks left in the season, every point matters, and every player will be looking to give the captain the send‑off he deserves. The stage is set, the fans are ready, and the hope for a "beautiful moment" hangs in the balance as Rangers chase the title and a memorable farewell for their legendary captain.