James Tavernier directly addresses Rangers future as committed captain tells fans 'I'm ready to go'

Committed James Tavernier has guaranteed his sole focus is Rangers as the Ibrox captain batted away fervent speculation surrounding his future.

The 32-year-old is wanted by Trabzonspor but all he is thinking about is how to bring success to Ibrox as he turns his attention to Saturday's Scottish Premiership opener away to Hearts. Boss Philippe Clement hinted after the bonkers 4-4 draw with Union Berlin that it was no guarantee that the Englishman would follow the likes of Connor Goldson, John Lundstram and Borna Barisic out the exit door.

And now Tavernier – fronting up after watching Celtic turbo charge to the double – hasn't wavered in his dedication to the Rangers cause. Speaking to Rangers TV, the skipper said: ""I just don't take any notice, basically. There has been speculation for a long time now if it's a year and a half.

"I addressed it towards the end of last season, I am fully committed to the job in hand. That's where my mindset will always be, fully committed, coming day by day and trying my extreme hardest to push myself and the team on. To do what I do every single day is to be a professional footballer, it's like I'm 18 again. "Every single day there is joy for me to come in to train, I am living the dream."

And Tavernier has shed light on the injury woe which reduced him to a bit-part figure during pre-season. But the captain reckons extra time to recuperate was a blessing in disguise. "Obviously, it's unusual for me to miss (game time), it was the perfect time to rest. My hip flexor, I had a bit of fluid in there, it was the perfect time not to push through it and let it settle down. Sitting on the sidelines watching the lads training, it was hard to do but my body feels a lot better now. Getting two