‘I’m looking on that world list now’ – Rangers captain James Tavernier reveals his global ambition

RANGERS captain James Tavernier was presented with the Sam English Bowl as the club’s men’s top scorer at their Player of the Season awards in Glasgow last night.

And the defender revealed one target he has set for himself in front of goal for the rest of his career.

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The Englishman has netted 24 times this season, bringing his career tally to a staggering 133 goals, with 125 of those strikes coming for Rangers.

That puts him in sixth place on the list of the highest-scoring defenders of all time, and Tavernier has set his sights on where he’d like to end up on the list in an interview with Rangers TV.

He said: “This is the most I have scored in a season.

“My benchmark goal against Hibs, being the all-time British record [scorer] for a defender, it’s a crazy moment.

“I’m looking on that world list now and I’m obviously trying to go for second place.”

Former Barcelona and Netherlands star Ronald Koeman sits top of the list, a full 78 goals ahead of second-placed Daniel Passarella.

The only other active player on the last is ex-Real Madrid and current Sevilla stopper Sergio Ramos, who is seven goals ahead of Tavernier on 140.

At just 32 years old, Tavernier could have several years left to climb the list, and thinks his team-mates’ help has been key to his scoring exploits.

He said: “Obviously, I enjoy scoring goals.

“It comes down to my team-mates, winning penalties for us, with the deliveries.

“It’s always nice to contribute to the team and score that many goals.

“I always want to improve, I always want to better myself and try to beat my own targets.

“It’s a big target to do, next season, but I will always try my best.

“There’s time for more this season, but as long as we are winning games, that’s the main thing.”

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