It feels like the end is creeping closer for Rangers captain James Tavernier, and this time, it has a very different tone to it.
The 34 year old has made no secret of where he stands. He wants to stay. He has spoken openly about it, made it clear that Ibrox is where he sees himself continuing, and there has been no hint of him pushing for a move away.
That is what makes this situation hit a bit harder.
Despite his stance, Rangers have not moved to offer him a new contract. As things stand, his deal runs out this summer, and unless something changes quickly, he will walk away after 11 years at the club.
For a player who has given so much, that is not a small moment.
Tavernier has been a constant at Rangers since arriving in 2015. Goals, assists, leadership, availability. He has carried responsibility season after season and, for long spells, has been one of the most relied upon players in the squad.
But football is ruthless when it comes to time.
This season has shown signs of decline that are hard to ignore. The legs are not quite what they used to be. The bursts forward are less frequent. The recovery pace is not the same. That is not a criticism, it is simply the reality of being 34 in a demanding role.
And that is where the club’s thinking seems to come in.
There is a view that if Tavernier were to stay, it would have to be on significantly reduced terms. Around the £15K mark has been suggested as a ceiling, reflecting a shift in his role from guaranteed starter to more of a squad option.
It is a harsh adjustment for someone who has been front and centre for so long.
The comparison with players who defied age at the highest level only highlights the point. Not everyone is Cafu, who seemed to run endlessly into his late 30s for AC Milan and Roma. Tavernier has had an outstanding career, but expecting that same physical longevity is unrealistic.
Still, the emotional side of this cannot be ignored.
Here is a player who has publicly stated his desire to remain, who has not caused problems, who has led the club through multiple phases, and yet finds himself facing the exit door because the club have not matched that intent.
That disconnect is where the real story lies.
From Rangers’ perspective, it may be about planning ahead, refreshing the squad, and making difficult decisions at the right time. From Tavernier’s side, it feels like unfinished business, like there is still something left to give.
Unless there is a late change in direction, this looks set to end with him leaving on a free.
After more than a decade at Ibrox, it would not just be a transfer. It would be the closing chapter of an era that defined Rangers for years.