Tavernier dealt blow: Rangers pushing forward in bid to land £75k-a-week star
By Ben Gray
Rangers are wasting no time getting their summer rebuild underway at Ibrox.
Russell Martin was confirmed as manager recently, with Lyall Cameron and Max Aarons already confirmed as arrivals—more transfers are expected for the new boss.
Following changes in ownership, a new sporting director, and a fresh head coach, could a captaincy change be on the cards?
Revamp in defence underway
The Gers’ backline is undergoing major change. Leon Balogun has joined Aris Limassol, reuniting with Connor Goldson in Cyprus.
Robin Pröpper may return to FC Twente, his former club, and John Souttar is questionable for Champions League qualifiers following recent hernia surgery.
Given these circumstances, reports say that Rangers are deep in negotiations to bring in Conor Coady from Leicester City.
The club is confident of securing the deal by early next week, with the England defender offering considerable experience to Martin’s squad.
Meanwhile, with Leicester relegated, they are trimming their squad—including Coady, who has a year left on his deal. Only four players at the club earn more than his £75,000 weekly wage.
If he moves to Scotland, those wages would likely be reduced—but his value on the pitch would be immense.
Coady as a captain candidate?
James Tavernier, who arrived from Wigan ten years ago, is a Rangers icon—513 matches, 130 goals, and 142 assists from right-back.
Appointed captain by Steven Gerrard in 2018, he’s been vital, though last season saw a drop in form—he was even benched in a key Europa League fixture against Olympiacos.
Despite still being just 33, Tavernier’s influence seems to be waning—his stats, like goals and created chances, were down last season.
James Tavernier by season
| Season | Apps | Mins | Goals | Assists | Chances | Take-ons % | Duel win % | Touches/90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/21 | 46 | 3,923 | 19 | 16 | 71 | 41% | 53% | 87 |
| 21/22 | 58 | 5,255 | 18 | 17 | 130 | 59% | 56% | 90 |
| 22/23 | 55 | 4,864 | 18 | 10 | 112 | 41% | 48% | 83 |
| 23/24 | 58 | 5,211 | 24 | 12 | 123 | 44% | 53% | 89 |
| 24/25 | 53 | 4,433 | 5 | 13 | 96 | 51% | 54% | 71 |
His lowest minutes tally since 2020/21 and his least productive season in five years point to his declining centrality.
So, with Tavernier potentially replaceable, could Coady be given the armband?
Analysts view him as a natural leader. Sean Dyche described Coady’s professionalism as “immaculate”, and Jamie Carragher once called him “brilliant”, second only to Van Dijk in terms of long passing.
Premier League data once showed Coady led the league in accurate long passes. Another analysis praised his elite ability to pick out diagonal runs.
In Martin’s possession-based system, Coady could be a key figure—and possibly the next captain.
