JAMES TAVERNIER arrived at Ibrox seven years ago aiming to find a home from home, a place to be settled and successful, as he sought to kick-start his career with Rangers.
Now the right-back could bring the curtain down on his time in the game in Glasgow as he dreams of a testimonial and a place in Light Blues folklore.
Tavernier is at the peak of his powers. At just 30, he need not consider retirement or look too far into the future as he prepares for another shot at glory this term.
His focus is on the football at present but talks over a new contract, one which will commit him to Rangers for a further two seasons, are continuing behind the scenes.
That deal will take Tavernier beyond a decade of service and set him apart as one of the key figures in the recent history of a club that has taken a special place in his heart.
"First and foremost, it is a club that gave us the foundations to go out and do what I love to do," Tavernier said. "And that is play football. I can play with a smile on my face every single week.
"That’s what the club gave me. It’s just a special place.
"You play in the biggest competitions. You are always competing for trophies.
"As a football player, you always want to look back on your career and say that you have been fighting for these trophies.
"You’ve won this. You’ve played in the biggest competitions.
"That’s our aim this season: to try to get into one of the biggest competitions, the Champions League. It would be another box ticked. We know we have a lot of work to do but that is our aim.
"I don’t see myself moving any time soon. I’m really happy here.
"The family's really happy. The kids are really happy.
"I’m always repaying Rangers for giving me that chance. I enjoy my football here. We are continuing going in the right direction.
"As long as the club is pushing itself and I am pushing myself, I am in a very happy place.
"It would be an unbelievable achievement [to get a testimonial]. Ten years at a club, you don’t really see that much these days.
"It would be one of those where I would look back and really appreciate it. It would be a nice touch if it was to happen."
There is no rush for Tavernier to put pen-to-paper as Rangers, bolstered by the arrival of seven new signings this summer, prepare to kick-off another campaign. It is one which offers plenty of opportunities under Van Bronckhorst's guidance.
The skipper has seen Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey move on to fresh challenges after clinching deals to Southampton and Ajax respectively but the squad now has a strength and depth that gives supporters optimism of what can be achieved.
There was a time where Ibrox was merely a stopover for players. As Tavernier proves, it can be a place where contentment is found and medals are earned as Rangers regroup and prepare to go again in search of domestic and European glory.
"Definitely," Tavernier said when asked if Rangers was now becoming an end in itself for players. "We want to try and compete with the biggest teams in Europe.
"You want to be regulars competing in the Champions League. That’s our aim.
"You will never get a fan base like it anywhere up and down the country. Liverpool and Man Utd maybe, but the magnitude of this club, what it brings, and what you can achieve, it’s special.
"Moving down south, you get the Premier League, which we probably all know is the best league in the world, but it is one of those: do you want to compete for trophies or play in a team that is just going to stay in the league and not compete for anything?
"We’ve really strengthened in a lot of areas. We are in a good place.
"We are really happy with all those who have come in. They have gelled so quickly and they are showing what they’re about.
"They are putting pressure on other lads who have been here previously. We lost two great players in Calvin and Joe but I am sure the lads who have come in will play their own way and make a real impact for us going forward."
The campaign will begin in Livingston this afternoon and step up next week when Van Bronckhorst's side face Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League third qualifying round. Even at this early stage, there is plenty to play for.
Van Bronckhorst has made the most of the funds available in the transfer market and the time afforded on the training pitch to ensure Rangers are ready to hit the ground running and there is a natural enthusiasm about what lies ahead at Ibrox.
“I’m really excited for the season ahead, we’ve had a really good pre-season," Tavernier said. "This is the first full season with the boss in and he’s implemented his stamp on the team.
“All the new additions have really gelled in well with the squad and we have good competition throughout. We are in a great position.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s just having that pre-season where you can really work on tactics a lot more.
“When the boss joined we had games every other day so that aspect was hard.
“You couldn’t really work on the training pitch when the boys were recovering.
“We’ve had a lot of time on the training pitch, especially with the new boys, and we’re ready.”
