(Credit: Imago, Jamie Johnston)

Oliver Walton

Thu 31 July 2025 15:01, UK

Rangers man Max Aarons has reacted to a new message from James Tavernier, with the former Bournemouth man set to take his place in the starting eleven at Ibrox this season.

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A new era has arrived for Rangers, with Russell Martin now in the hotseat at Ibrox and aiming to knock Celtic off their perch by winning the Scottish Premiership in his first season in charge.

Martin has already moved to bring in defensive reinforcements in his first few weeks in the job, as Aarons recently sealed a move to Ibrox from Bournemouth, while Peterborough United defender Emmanuel Fernandez has also been snapped up by the Gers.

Their arrivals have raised question marks over Tavernier’s Rangers future, despite the fact he is a modern-day club legend with over 500 appearances and multiple trophies won in his 10 years playing in blue.

Football Insider revealed in April that Rangers are open to selling Tavernier this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, while former scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider last month that Rangers are prepared to accept offers for Tavernier following Aarons’ arrival, so he could be on his way out soon.

Tavernier’s 10-year stay at Rangers could be coming to an end (Credit Imago)

Rangers’ competitive season got underway last week as they beat Panathinaikos 2-0 in the Champions League second qualifying round at Ibrox, and they followed that success up with a 1-1 second-leg draw in Greece on Wednesday (30 July) to secure their passage into the next round.

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Tavernier was handed a start in both games, while Aarons featured in an unfamiliar left-back role, and the former reacted to their win on Instagram (Thursday, 31 July) with some pictures of him in action alongside the caption: “Job done over the 2 legs.

Next up, league action,” with a blue heart emoji.

Aarons responded to his message by liking the post, while Jack Butland, John Souttar, Joe Rothwell and Dujon Sterling did the same, and former Gers favourite Daniel Candeias replied saying: “Machineee.”

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Football Insider verdict

It has been a summer of change at Ibrox with Martin taking the hotseat and six new players signed already, including Bournemouth midfielder Rothwell and Luton Town playmaker Thelo Aasgaard.

Five players have already departed upon the expiry of their contracts, and more exits could be on the way too with Football Insider recently revealing that Ross McCausland is being tracked by a number of clubs in England, Europe and the MLS, so they could do with more consistency in terms of retaining a similar squad to last term.

AppearancesGoalsAssists515130142Tavernier’s Rangers career stats

Keeping Tavernier should be a no-brainer this summer for Martin, with that in mind, as he gets what it means to play for Rangers and leads by example every time he steps onto the pitch, while fans would surely be dismayed by his exit given the strong connection they have built up over the years.

The 33-year-old would likely be comfortable playing at either centre-back or in central midfield if the new boss deploys him in either position, and could still yet be his first-choice at right-back depending on Aarons’ form and whether Martin signs a new left-back.

He must be kept on at Ibrox for another campaign yet, but it would also come as little surprise to see him move on next year at the end of his Rangers contract, and a Scottish Premiership title would be a fitting end to his years of service at the club.

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