James Tavernier, born 31 October 1991 (age 34), is an English right-back whose career is now almost impossible to separate from Rangers. His early years in England included loan spells that gave him the usual education for a young defender: senior football, awkward afternoons, and a clearer sense of what his game could become. Those stages matter, but they are a preface rather than the story.
That story is Rangers. Across 11 seasons he has made 382 league appearances and scored 102 league goals, a return that would be notable for many forwards and is plainly unusual for a full-back. His most productive league campaign came in 2023–2024, when he scored 17 times in 38 appearances.
As Rangers captain, Tavernier has been a central figure through a long and often demanding spell. His time there has brought a Premiership title, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup, while his set-piece threat and penalty record have made him one of the more reliable sources of goals in their side. Celtic supporters have had enough sight of that to require no further explanation.
He remains a regular presence in 2025–2026, with 34 league appearances and eight league goals, and 52 appearances and 14 goals in all competitions for Rangers. His season has been strong overall, though there has been a slight dip lately. His market value is around £850,000, according to Transfermarkt.
Tavernier’s career is that of a long-serving rival captain: durable, productive, and still relevant. The early loans helped shape him, but Rangers made him a major figure in Scottish football.
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