It did not take long after the final whistle had blown in the Bournemouth match against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday night for Marcus Tavernier’s mobile phone to ring.
The midfielder had scored the winner in the Premier League encounter and boosted the Vitality Stadium club’s top flight survival hopes. But he had suffered an injury in the process and his big brother James was straight on to him to find out how bad it was.
The Rangers right back is seven years older and became something of a father figure to his younger sibling when they were growing up in a single parent family in Leeds as boys. He has not lost any of his paternal concern.
“We speak every day,” he said. “We have a close bond. As we’ve got older, we’ve got closer and closer. I helped him when he got released from Newcastle. I told him he had to get on with his life and work as hard as he can. He’s reaping the benefits of that now.”
Tavernier Jnr, too, is always on hand to offer support to the Ibrox captain when, as has so often been the case during this difficult season, the Glasgow giants have failed to perform and wounding criticism has been levelled at his brother.
“We speak after every game,” said the Rangers defender. “He’ll tell me how I’ve played, I’ll tell him how he’s played. At the weekends he rings me and calms me down. He’s been up here a good few times to understand what I’m dealing with and we speak every single day, so he knows what I’m doing.”
Yet, the Englishman, who will lead the defending champions out to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden this afternoon, revels in his prominent role at Rangers and is never fazed by the flak which flies in his direction.
His leadership qualities have been called into question by some supporters as their Champions League, Viaplay Cup and cinch Premiership campaigns have ended in disappointment and failure. He has been accused of not being vocal enough on the park. But being skipper comes naturally to him.
The 31-year-old, who is under contract until 2026, admitted that he would be content to end his playing days in Govan.
“Criticism is part and parcel of it,” he said. “Not everyone isn’t going to agree. Back in the day, you probably had very vocal players in the centre of midfield that you’d see most of the time.
“But if you were on the field, you’d definitely hear me. A lot of it is me trying to lead by the way I play. I try to make sure I do the right things and hopefully that spreads throughout the team.
“I tried to do as much as could against Celtic (Tavernier scored a double in the 3-2 defeat at Parkhead three weeks ago) but that’s what I do every single game. I try to do my best and hope that inspires the team.
“The manager just wants me to lead by example on the pitch. My qualities are to try to lead by example on the pitch with the way I play. I’m quite loud, but bombing up and down the pitch makes it hard to talk to people. I try to do it as much as I can and it’s a good challenge.
“If we are not doing it, then I am the first one they look at. I am more than happy to take the responsibility on my shoulders and not shy away from anything and always fight in the next game to correct it - and I know all the lads will.”
He added: “I had a big responsibility as a kid. I had to step in and help mum look after my brother. It gave me a responsibility. Growing up, Lucas Radebe was the captain at Leeds and my idol. I wanted to be a captain one day and I’ve always tried to push and be as influential as I can.
“That’s not just in speaking to people but in the way I conduct myself on the pitch and every day around the training ground.”
Asked if he would like to end his career at Rangers, Tavernier said: "If that's the way, then I am more than happy and ready to put everything I've got into it.
"I've got three years left and I always say I've got unfinished business. I want to win more things while I'm here. Football's funny, always constantly moving parts, but I am really happy and I am continuing to make myself better every single day and my family is comfortable.”
The build-up to the semi-final has been full on for Rangers; if they fail to end their four game winless run against Celtic they will finish the 2022/23 campaign trophyless and unrest in the stands will escalate further. Tavernier, though, takes it all in his stride.
"I normally try and keep a cap on and stay indoors!” he said. “Seriously, though, I've had no issues over the years I've been here. It's obviously intense, especially if you are out with the family. But it's harmless, pictures and stuff like that. I am normally out with the family or in the house, so I am never out too much to get the full brunt.
"I've had maybe a couple of drivers drive past me. A couple of years ago, there were guys in white van trying to give me some stick and I was and just laughing. I think it was coming up to an Old Firm game, when it's close the fans are always in full force, just really passionate.
"People are always going to criticise, it's part of the game, it keeps everyone talking. You just have to relish the challenge and take it on. You always want to know where you can improve and I am always looking to improve every day on my attacking or my defending.
“You can listen as much as you want, as long as you are still fully focused on what you want to achieve. If you want to better yourself, you have to work hard.”
