James Tavernier has finally broken his silence following the news that he will depart Rangers at the end of the season, closing the book on an 11-year spell at Ibrox. The long-serving captain took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message with supporters, and the reaction from fans, teammates, and former colleagues has been immediate and emotional.
In his post, Tavernier reflected on just how much the club has meant to him and his family over more than a decade in Glasgow, describing the honour of representing Rangers and later leading the team as captain since 2018. He acknowledged that the decision to leave hadn’t come easily, but stressed his gratitude for everything the club had given him both on and off the pitch.
The response from the Ibrox faithful was swift. Comments flooded in from supporters thanking him for his service, with many pointing to his remarkable numbers: over 560 appearances and more than 140 goals from right-back, a record almost unheard of for a defender. Former teammates also joined the tributes, with several current and past Rangers players posting messages of support and appreciation beneath his announcement.
Tavernier’s Rangers career has been defined by longevity and consistency. Since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2015, he became one of the most reliable figures in the squad, someone supporters could set their watch by regardless of the turbulence around him at various points in his tenure. His trophy cabinet includes Premiership, Scottish Cup, and League Cup success, along with a run to a major European final that will live long in the memory of the Ibrox crowd.
While his exit brings a natural sense of nostalgia, Tavernier has made clear his focus remains on finishing the season strongly, with the title race still very much alive. Fans, meanwhile, are already turning their attention to what should be an emotional send-off in the coming weeks, as one of the club’s modern greats prepares to walk out of Ibrox for the final time as a Rangers player.