Rangers are starting to click after a couple of early setbacks saw Philippe Clement come under pressure.
Aside from the dismal display at Parkhead, domestic form has been good and the new summer signings have started to settle into life at Ibrox.
With five senior players leaving at the end of their contracts and Connor Goldson joining Aris Limassol, there has very much been a changing of the guard.
James Tavernier’s form for Rangers a cause for concern
One old-timer who stayed despite intense speculation and a bid from Trabzonspor was James Tavernier, but the Rangers skipper is under pressure.
A poor Old Firm display hasn’t been the only problem.
One goal and three assists in nine games doesn’t really tell the full story of his season so far.
Against Dundee, he walked off the Ibrox pitch with a goal and an assist, however, he was one of the poorest Rangers players.
Speaking on Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club, former Gers midfielder Kevin Thomson admitted that he has been far from impressed with the Light Blues number two:
“I have to say his performances have been under standard for him. I don’t think he has covered himself in lots of glory with individual performances. But also I think he carries the club on his shoulders, with his numbers and his record.
“The unfortunate thing is Rangers fans don’t care what happened last year, or last week, or how many goals you scored over eight years. They might remember you when you leave and you might be more well-thought-of. But Rangers fans want to see results now.
“I think the responsibility that comes with it, he will love. It’s a massive profile and prestigious honour to get. But I certainly think it brings a real unwanted attention on his shoulders and I would think he would rather go a wee bit more unnoticed.
“I actually don’t think it would be a bad thing for him (to drop the captaincy). But we’re too far down the road now. He is the captain of the club and he has to remain the captain of the club or it would cause more animosity, more fraction, so they need to ride with it.”
Tavernier looking over his shoulder with right-back options
Thomson is right, Tavernier had the chance to step out of the limelight this summer with such a big turnaround of players.
It would have been easy to say that he wanted to concentrate on his own game.
There was also an obvious replacement in Jack Butland.
With Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo both natural right-backs, Tavernier will be fully aware that his performances need to improve.
His individual achievements and place in the Hall of Fame will be more appreciated once he retires or leaves Rangers but, as Thomson says, nobody cares.
Every loose pass is met with a groan and every time he is caught out of position or a forward runs in behind him is scrutinised to the nth degree.
Patience is running thin with a Rangers captain who has seen Celtic lift more trophies than any other in the club’s 150-year history.
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