Graeme Souness reimagines Rangers golden era to recruit current hero and leave England cap wanting

Graeme Souness had England right-back Gary Stevens at his disposal when he bossed Rangers.

But he doesn’t think he would get a game ahead of James Tavernier. Souness also played with Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy – who both scored goals in European Cup Finals – at Liverpool. That’s why he’s so impressed with the numbers skipper Tavernier is posting. The 32-year-old recently beat club legend John Greig’s scoring record for a defender.

And if he nets in today’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hibs he’ll go ahead of Graham Alexander to top the UK goals list for a defender. Tavernier has struck 122 times for Rangers since 2015 and shows no signs of letting up. Souness said: “His stats are unbelievable. He is what you need now as a modern-day full-back. His goalscoring is ridiculous.

“It shouldn’t happen but he’s also a wonderful free-kick taker. He’s in his pomp now. The next two years will be his best if he looks after himself. Of course, he needs to win more trophies at Rangers because that’s what people remember.

“So hopefully this is the beginning of a spell for him. And he’ll know that. I think Tav would get in the team I managed and played in at Ibrox. It would be nip and tuck because Stevens was a top player and probably a better defender. But people who can deliver a ball like Tav are worth their weight in gold.”

Despite the personal achievements, Tavernier has faced heavy flak at times as Celtic dominated. But Souness claims he’s worthy of wearing the armband at Ibrox.

He said: “It has been difficult for him because Rangers have not enjoyed a golden period. But he has dealt with that. To be a Rangers player, never mind captain, you need to have big nuts because you are playing under pressure all the time. Tav has