NafisaRangers’ latest European disappointment has sparked another round of questions over the quality, experience and mentality within Derek McInnes’ squad.
The Ibrox side entered Thursday night’s clash with Jagiellonia Bialystok knowing they had work to do after losing the first leg in Poland.
For a while, it looked as though Rangers might produce the response their supporters desperately wanted.
Lawrence Shankland’s penalty levelled the aggregate score, while the hosts looked dangerous and appeared capable of finding the goal that would send them through.
But everything changed after the interval.
Jagiellonia eventually found the equaliser on the night, Rangers could not respond and the 1-1 draw sent the Polish side through 3-2 on aggregate.
The result means McInnes’ team will now drop into the Europa Conference League, while the manager faces even greater scrutiny over the squad he has inherited and the recruitment still required before the transfer window closes.
And amid the post-match fallout, one former Rangers player has made a suggestion that is almost guaranteed to divide the Ibrox support.
Halliday wants Rangers to make shock Tavernier move
Andy Halliday believes Rangers should make a move for James Tavernier.
The former Rangers midfielder was speaking during BBC Sportsound’s post-match discussion when he put forward an idea that he openly admitted would not be popular among the club’s supporters.
Halliday’s argument was not based on sentimentality.
Instead, he believes Rangers need players capable of handling the enormous pressure that comes with playing for the club, particularly when performances are being heavily scrutinised.
And in his view, Tavernier remains capable of providing exactly that.
“I’m going to say something that will be unpopular, but the first thing Rangers should do in terms of recruitment is phone James Tavernier tomorrow.
“Honestly. He’s an upgrade straight away.”
It is a bold claim given Tavernier’s departure from Ibrox and the complicated feelings surrounding his time as Rangers captain.
But Halliday believes the qualities Tavernier possesses are precisely what McInnes’ squad currently lacks.
Why Halliday thinks Tavernier would be an upgrade
Halliday went on to highlight Tavernier’s ability to operate under intense scrutiny.
That is particularly relevant given the situation Rangers currently find themselves in.
The club have invested heavily in rebuilding the squad, while McInnes has introduced a new leadership group and brought in several experienced players.
Yet the early results have been far from convincing.
Rangers are already out of the Europa League and have struggled to produce consistent performances.
For Halliday, experience alone is not enough.
He wants players who are prepared to take responsibility when the pressure becomes overwhelming.
And he believes Tavernier has repeatedly demonstrated that characteristic.
Halliday admits Rangers fans would hate the idea
Interestingly, Halliday did not pretend that a Tavernier return would be universally welcomed.
When asked about the likely reaction from Rangers supporters, he immediately acknowledged the obvious problem.
“They wouldn’t be happy. Absolutely not, they wouldn’t be happy.”
That reaction is understandable given the circumstances surrounding Tavernier’s exit and the criticism he received during the latter stages of his Rangers career.
However, Halliday believes the conversation should be about what the current squad needs rather than simply revisiting old arguments.
He pointed towards the importance of performing under pressure at Ibrox.
“But again, everyone’s talking about this new leadership group, this new character, but for me, the difference is being able to play under that scrutiny.
“And I think James Tavernier has never hid from that scrutiny.”
That, according to Halliday, is where Tavernier could still make a difference.
‘He will always try and make a difference’
Halliday’s biggest argument appears to centre around Tavernier’s willingness to remain involved when games become uncomfortable.
The former captain was often criticised during difficult periods at Rangers, but Halliday believes he never stopped demanding the ball.
That willingness to take responsibility is something Halliday feels Rangers desperately need.
“He will always get on the ball no matter the noise that surrounds him and he will always try and make a difference.
“And for me, it’s an upgrade.”
Whether Rangers would actually consider bringing Tavernier back is another matter entirely.
There is currently no indication that the club are preparing such a move, and Halliday’s comments should be viewed as his own assessment rather than evidence of an impending transfer.
But the suggestion itself highlights the scale of the questions now facing McInnes.
Rangers have already brought in a considerable number of new players this summer, yet their performances have left supporters demanding even more improvement.
And with the Europa League dream already gone, Halliday believes one of the answers could surprisingly be someone who knows Ibrox better than almost anyone.
James Tavernier.
Whether Rangers fans would ever accept seeing their former captain back in a Light Blue shirt, however, could be an entirely different story.
Nafisa
