Rangers captain James Tavernier set for Monday talks with ‘really respectful’ Giovanni van Bronckhorst
RANGERS captain James Tavernier has admitted that he and his fellow players are “really looking forward” to working with new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and predicted the departure of Steven Gerrard will not have a negative impact on the Ibrox club’s performances.
The right back revealed that Van Bronckhorst had not wanted to disrupt the Scottish champions’ preparations for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hibernian at Hampden tomorrow afternoon by taking charge of training this week.
The former Rangers, Arsenal, Barcelona and Netherlands player, who won the Eredivisie during his four years in the dugout with Feyenoord, will watch the last four tie from the stands before starting work with the Scottish champions on Monday.
Tavernier this morning explained that the Dutchman, who had relayed his intentions to the squad through sporting director Ross Wilson, had been “really respectful” after being confirmed as Gerrard’s replacement on Thursday.
And he expressed confidence the Scottish champions, who are four points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership and bidding to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, will not be affected by Gerrard leaving to take over at Aston Villa.
“We are in an industry where people come and go,” he said. “It is a part of football, a part of the game. Everything happened so quickly. It has already been more than a week, but that is football.
“I thought the club and Ross and everyone has dealt with it really smoothly and has put everyone, the team and the fans, at ease. We have gone through a great process in this transition.”
Tavernier added: “The gaffer didn’t really want to disrupt the team so close to going into a semi-final. I am seeing him Monday morning so I will have a good chat with him then.
“But he didn’t really want to come in and disrupt what was happening so close to the game. He was really respectful. I know myself and all the boys are really looking forward to working with him.
“Everything has been through dialogue with Ross. Gio wanted to be respectful to me and the team, and didn’t want to be disruptive in any way. I have been in constant dialogue through the third party of Ross.
“I will speak to him on Monday and I am really looking forward to it. Moving on, it’s a new chapter for us.”
Tavernier believes the current Rangers squad is the strongest he has been involved with since he moved to Glasgow four years ago and is confident they will be able to build on their Premiership win and land more silverware with Van Bronckhorst at the helm.
“This is a bit of a different situation,” he said. “In the past, managers have been let go. You never want to see that in football, but this is a different situation. Steven did such a really good job and a Premier League club came in for him.
“The squad we have now is one of the strongest I have ever played with. Previously, it might not have been that strong, or we might have been going through some different situations. This is one of the strongest squads I have been in and I have great belief and confidence in them.
“The way this transition will be is that the new gaffer will be taking over a great squad. He will be implementing his tactics of how he wants us to play but the foundations are there. That’s the reason why I see it as being a seamless transition.”
James Tavernier was speaking at a Premier Sports Cup event. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £12.99 per month.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
