Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez believes winning the Scottish Premiership title will be a perfect send-off for Rangers skipper James Tavernier, Footynaija.com reports.
Tavernier recently announced that he’ll be departing the Glasgow based outfit at the end of this season, drawing the curtains on an eleven-year stint that produced 292 goal contributions across 562 appearances as well as five major trophies.
Despite his long and relatively successful stay at Ibrox, Tavernier has only tasted Scottish top flight glory on a singular occasion, with bitter rivals Celtic often dominating in recent years.
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However, Rangers currently sit second in the SPFL, with only one point separating them from leaders Hearts and Fernandez knows beating the Geordie Boys to this year’s title will be a fitting end to Tavernier’s illustrious career at Ibrox.
“We all know what we need to do until the end of the season and it would be the perfect send off for him, but we have to take it one game at a time,” he told Rangers’ official website.
“When you leave a club after this long, the best way to go is with a title and bring something to the fans and people remembering your legacy.
“It was tough when he told us and we were a bit shell-shocked. We all congratulated him and showed him love and we want to bring something back for him.
“I feel since I came here that he has been in my corner, he has supported me when I needed it. When I signed, I didn’t understand the size of the club, but his calm leadership carried me through.
“I remember when the gaffer came in, we played Hibs away and Tav spoke to me and told me I would get my opportunity. He isn’t a shouter, he makes it easy for players and he makes you think you can play your own game.
“On the pitch you know what he gives to the team as well as his leadership, which is amazing. We will miss him a lot. He has been here 11 years, he knows the league, how to be at Rangers.”
Rangers will be looking for their fifth consecutive win in the SPFL when they square up against Motherwell at Ibrox later today and Fernandez is confident of his team’s chances given their recent momentum.
“We have to stay together and play the football we know we can against Motherwell and take our opportunities. We have been on a positive run, we have only lost one game recently and everyone knows we have a real opportunity.”
