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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Fraser Wilson

James Tavernier has to kickstart new Rangers Hall of Fame era as former teammate reveals love for his skipper

Not since 2014 has the Rangers Hall of Fame opened its doors to new inductees.

Perhaps that more than anything tells the story of the troubles which beset the Ibrox club before the resurgence back to the very top.

The late, great Fernando Ricksen, Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch were the last three entrants in 2014.

But now, after leading the club back to the very top of the Scottish game for the first time in a decade, those doors could well be flung back open.

It’s a debate which is gathering pace among Light Blues supporters. Should captain James Tavernier and goal machine Alfredo Morelos be honoured with a place in the Ibrox Hall of Fame?

The case for centres around the duo’s central role in landing a first title in a decade and their crucial contributions to taking Rangers back to the top after years in the doldrums. Arguments against are largely based on the fact that title is the only major silverware both have lifted for the club.

Greg Stewart was front and centre of the celebrations when Tavernier led the Light Blues to become champions of Scotland for the first time in a decade - and thus torpedo Celtic’s hopes of 10 in a row history.

Rangers skipper James Tavernier (SNS Group)

And he reckons both have achieved legend status already by landing one of if not THE greatest title in the club’s history.

In seven seasons Tavernier has struck 77 goals in 332 appearances from right back. A sensational figure.

Morelos - Rangers record scorer in Europe - is on 112 from 222 appearances. That’s better than a goal every other game.

Do they deserve a place among legends like John Greig, Ally McCoist and Graeme Souness though?

Speaking to the Record Rangers Podcast, Stewart said: “In my opinion they won probably the greatest title in the club’s history.

“You have to remember all these other Hall of Fame guys always played with top players and top Rangers teams in the Champions League.

“Tav has not had that standard beside him all the time at Rangers. Right now is probably the highest standard it’s ever been in terms of quality.

“Personally if he gets another couple of titles then he would definitely deserve that place in the hall of fame.”

Stewart reckons Rangers fans might not realise just how special James Tavernier - a £250,000 signing from Wigan in 2015 - is until he’s no longer at Ibrox.

And he’s not the only one.

Stewart said: “You probably won’t realise how good Tav is until he’s not there.

“It’s the same with Connor Goldson. Connor has only missed a couple of games since he joined the club.

(SNS Group)

“Tav is a great guy, a great captain and he’s shown that on the park recently.

“He has been there through some tough times. Guys like that I love to see succeed.

“When Tav got to lift that trophy he deserved it more than anyone because of where he had come from, through the tough times.

“I’d love to see him lift another couple this season.”

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