Fans will miss Tav after exit

DAVID Templeton didn't know the true value of James Tavernier when he walked into Ibrox for his first day as a Rangers player.

- BY SCOTT McDERMOTT

But, if this season proves to be the captain's last at the club, the former Gers winger says every Light Blues fan will soon realise what he is genuinely worth.

Back in July 2015, when Tavernier was signed for around £250,000 from Wigan, teammate Templeton could never have envisaged him staying for a decade.

But, at 34, the right-back is still going strong and arguably remains Rangers best player, with him now approaching 150 in both goals and assists at the club.

This, however, is the last year of Tav's contract. And so far, there's been little chat about the skipper potentially staying longer under new manager Danny Rohl.

Most punters expect him to leave Ibrox next summer, having led the club to their 55th top tier title in 2021 and the Europa League final a year later.

But Templeton, who played alongside him for nearly two years, believes it would be a mistake to let the Englishman go.

In fact, he says, unless there’s a replacement lined up to replicate his goals and assists output, the club should keep Tav.

The 36-year-old said: “In years to come, people will realise what Tav has given Rangers and how good he is.

“If he leaves next season and someone else comes in who might be a good right-back but doesn't get those numbers, that's when people will realise what they had.