Marcus Tavernier has admitted his friend’s loyalties are split ahead of his St James’ Park homecoming this weekend. Nine years ago, the winger was released by Newcastle United and offered a lifeline on Teesside.
The youngster had moved to Newcastle from Yorkshire as a nine-year-old after his brother, James, was recruited by the Magpies. After seeing his first-team opportunities limited, the older Tavernier left to pave his career and is now considered a club legend at Rangers.
It became clear that Marcus, too, had a natural footballing gift and he soon enrolled in United’s academy. However, the youngster was released in 2013 and Middlesbrough quickly swooped in.
