James Tavernier immune to Rangers noise as hero spots key difference between Celtic and their rivals

After a summer when it looked as if his Rangers career may be coming to an end, James Tavernier will be front and centre for the club again when they lock horns with Celtic for the first time this season.

Barring any unexpected late development before the transfer window closes tomorrow night, Sunday’s trip across Glasgow will see Tav play in his 38th Old Firm game, just one measure of his longevity and regular presence as Rangers captain. As he starts his 10th season with the club and closes in on 500 appearances, the 32-year-old is very much part of the Ibrox furniture.

For a spell last month, though, it looked as if he might be calling on the services of a removal company as he was heavily linked with Turkish club Trabzonspor and the Saudi Pro League. Neither materialised and the right-back has since reaffirmed his commitment to trying to achieve success under Philippe Clement. Former Rangers star Alan Hutton reckons that can only be good news for his old club.

He said: “When you look at the goals, assists and everything else James brings to the team, him not being there could be a huge blow. When you look at all the experience Rangers have lost this window, with the likes of Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic and John Lundstram all going, then they’d be losing a lot if James went as well.

“Knowing James quite well, I don’t think the noise around him will affect him. I think of everything he brings to the team as captain. He takes a lot of flak at times but has been able to deal with it.”

While Hutton is a firm admirer of the man who plays his former position at Rangers, he also feels Tavernier is now at the stage of his career where others around him need to start sharing the load.

He said: “From time to time, a rest