There is going to be a lot of pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement heading into the new season.
Rangers will be kicking themselves, because last season, they failed to capitalise on Celtic faltering on a number of occasions.
In the end, Brendan Rodgers delivered the title for Celtic, before things went from bad to worse for Clement when Rangers lost the Scottish Cup final to Celtic.
As a result, the future of a number of big-name players are in the air, with the Gers set to play their initial home matches at Hampden amid a delay in works at Ibrox.
But who will be lining up for Rangers when they kick off the Premiership campaign away at Hearts on August 3?
Former Rangers chief Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to sign James Tavernier, sources have told HITC.
The 32-year-old is dividing opinion amongst the fanbase, with certain sections of them wanting him to leave and clear the decks after several years of poor performances from the team.
But Gordon Dalziel made it clear that Clement and Co. need to ‘keep Tavernier’ and that he would be ‘a loss’ if he departed, as he told Clyde 1.
The former Gers man also defended the set-piece specialist when a fan claimed that he is ‘the Harry Kane of Rangers’ and that he has been at the club for ‘too long’.
James Tavernier dubbed ‘the Harry Kane of Rangers’
“If I was involved in Rangers, then I would be really looking to try and keep Tavernier,” said Dalziel.
“His numbers don’t decrease. He’s a big part. He never misses games – he brings a lot to set plays as well. I think Tavernier will be a loss. I know there are some Rangers fans out there who don’t agree with that, but I think he will be a loss.”
Dalziel was then told by a Rangers fan that ‘Tavernier has been at the club for too long’ and he is the ‘Harry Kane of Rangers’. The supporter added Tavernier ‘wants to take the throw-ins, the penalties, the free-kicks, defend, he wants to charge forward and is stifling the players that are playing’.
Dalziel responded: “If you are a centre-forward and Tavernier is going down the right-hand side, and putting some quality balls in, then you have a better chance of scoring as well.
“I said it earlier, it would be a mixed opinion with Tavernier. But I just think he brings so much to Rangers, with everything he produces. Yes, you are right, he likes to be involved in everything – but I just think Tavernier still has a lot to offer.”
Celtic will steamroll the title
Rangers need to get their act together, bring in the players to improve the XI, and get clear of those who aren’t good enough, or else, they will end another campaign without the title.
Celtic had a few bumps in the road upon Rodgers’ return, yet he still won the title.
Not only that, Matt O’Riley, who is the best player in Scotland, is still at the club. Dalziel has agreed with Celtic’s latest transfer call on O’Riley.
If the playmaker stays on board, then it increases the Bhoys’ chances of, not just winning the tile, but possibly winning it comfortably.
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