Tavernier set for second Trabzonspor transfer bid after Rangers stand firm to turf first offer out

Trabzonspor are preparing to return with a second offer for Rangers skipper James Tavernier after seeing their opening bid turfed out by Ibrox chiefs.

The Turkish big guns have already signed Tavernier’s former Gers team-mates Borna Barisic and John Lundstram this summer. And they are refusing to give up on attempts to make it a Light Blues hat-trick as they track Tavernier. Speculation has been swirling around the 32-year-old summer amid rumours he was being lined-up for a reunion with former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia.

But Trabzonspor hope to beat Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq outfit to Tavernier’s signature, with the Super Lig side now putting together an improved bid which they hope will this time satisfy the Ibrox board. The club captain - who has another two years left on his Gers deal - has scored an incredible 125 goals from right back since signing for Mark Warburton in 2015. But having lifted just three trophies in his near decade with the club, there are plenty of fans who believe it is time to move on from the former Wigan and Newcastle defender.

Boss Philippe Clement has hinted he’s willing to consider a future without Tavernier after admitting every member of his squad is for sale bar keeper Jack Butland. The skipper has so far sat out all three of Gers’ pre-season friendlies and it’s unclear whether he will be involved in today’s glamour kick-about clash with Manchester United at Murrayfield.

Speaking from last week’s training camp in the Netherlands, Clement explained the reason for his captain’s absence. “James has a small injury,” he said. “It’s nothing big. But it’s too much for him to train with the squad at the moment.

“We expect him back at the beginning of next week, the end of next week. It