James Tavernier was just eight-years-old the last time a Rangers player was rewarded for his loyalty to the club with a testimonial. That was back in 1999 when Sunderland were the visitors to Ibrox and Ian Ferguson was the man who took centre stage.
Current boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst was still pulling the strings in midfield and was on the scoresheet that night - along with Record Sport columnist Barry Ferguson and a Steve Bould own goal - in a 3-1 victory over the Black Cats for Dick Advocaat’s side at Ibrox.
Ferguson was a dyed-in-the-wool Rangers fan who lived the dream when Graeme Souness signed him from St Mirren to play for his boyhood heroes. The type of player who cared more about the colour of the shirt than the colour of the money. He was, also, part of a dying breed as greed became more common in the beautiful game.
So current captain Tavernier bucks the trend not only at Rangers but football in general in sticking around at one club for so long and it will be a fitting reward if he becomes the first player since Ferguson to earn a testimonial at the club, while team-mate Allan McGregor could also be entitled to one due to his service. The 30-year-old looks set to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Govan until at least 2026 and eleven years at Ibrox.
There have been many times during a roller-coaster spell at Rangers when plenty couldn’t have imagined him being around for a testimonial. But it’s testament to his character that he could take his place alongside some of the longest serving legends at Ibrox.
It was seven years ago this week that former boss Mark Warburton splashed out a fee of around just £300,000 to sign the right back from Wigan Athletic which must go down as one of the greatest bits of business in the club’s history.
It’s not only his longevity, but his durability which has made him such a valuable signing. In just six seasons he has made more appearances than Ferguson made in 12 years at Ibrox, even if his major medal haul will never compare to the 18 picked up by the former midfielder who played during a period of Rangers dominance.
So with 347 appearances under his belt and the prospect of another four years to come, and an average of 57 games a season so far, we look at the names Tavernier could join in terms of total number of games for the club.
5. David Meiklejohn - 563
Born just a short walk from Ibrox Stadium in nearby Govan, the legendary defender is the one Tavernier could catch if he continues at his current rate of games. For Tavernier to surpass to Meiklejohn would be a monumental achievement given his status, with a suite named after him at Ibrox. He won 13 titles in his 16 seasons and after hanging up his boots managed Partick Thistle and even worked as a sports reporter for the Daily Record.
4. Sandy Archibald - 580
The only Rangers player to play over 500 league games in a glittering 17-year Ibrox career. The Fifer’s time at Ibrox was sandwiched between spells at Raith Rovers, who he later went on to manage. An outside right, he scored 126 league goals for the Light Blues.
3. Ally McCoist - 581
A man who needs little introduction. Also had a testimonial, against Newcastle United in 1993, and is the club’s all-time record goalscorer with 355 goals. Spent 15 years at his boyhood heroes after signing from Sunderland in 1983 and part of the nine-in-a-row legends.
2. Sandy Jardine - 674
One of the Barcelona Bears and a true Rangers legend with the Govan Stand now named in memory of the former full-back who passed away in 2014. Tavernier’s consistency is impressive but Jardine played in EVERY Rangers match between April 27, 1973 and August 30, 1975.
1. John Greig - 755
James Tavernier has often spoken of the man voted the Greatest Ever Ranger’s influence on him and it’s unlikely his appearance record for official matches (Dougie Gray played 940 including war-time matches and friendlies) will ever be beaten. The current skipper fell just short last season of being the first captain to lead Rangers to a European trophy since Greig in 1972 but did break his record for the most goals scored by a defender in a season.
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