Steven Gerrard has just told Wolves exactly why ‘immaculate’ James Tavernier should be signed

Add as preferred source on Google

Wolves will instigate a rebuild this summer following relegation – and James Tavernier is said to be on the club’s radar.

The work starts now for the Old Gold, as they look to prepare for life in the second tier, after eight years in the Premier League.

Would James Tavernier be a good signing for Wolves as the club prepare to play in the Championship?

He is the highest-scoring defender in British football history… 👀

As per TEAMtalk

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

There will be many changes to the squad this summer. Wolves simply cannot retain a lot of the current crop and must therefore move with precision and haste.

Most likely, all positions will be looked at.

And right-back is most definitely an area of concern at the moment.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that Wolves have been keeping tabs on James Tavernier, who is leaving Rangers at the end of the season – and what Steven Gerrard has said of the player makes a swoop by Wolves a no-brainer.

What Steven Gerrard said about Wolves target James Tavernier

Tavernier will leave Ibrox a Rangers legend.

He’s played over 560 games for the club, and scored a staggering 144 goals while supplying 118 assists.

Although a lot of his goals have come from set-pieces, that is still a remarkable return.

Wolves are keen, and Molineux officials may want to take particular note of what former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has said about the 34-year-old.

Reacting to Tavernier’s impending exit, he told Rangers Review: “What I would say is you won’t replace him directly. You won’t find a full-back like that. He’s very unique. You can’t replicate his goals, assists and quality. 

“Okay, yeah, you might get a full-back in that, maybe, has one or two things in his armoury that’s better than James from a defensive point of view. If you’re looking at an all-round full-back at that level and the contribution he’s had…

“And also the loyalty to stick with Rangers, through thick and thin, there’s probably been many a time where he’s had the chance to jump out of the heat. But what he’s done is he’s stayed there and fought for the fans for 11 years.

“I think he deserves to be appreciated. There’ll be a lot of people this time next year or in years to come that’ll say, ‘You know what, how much do we miss James Tavernier on that right-hand side?'”

• READ MORE: The nine players Wolves want to stay and form ‘core of a new-look squad’ after relegation

Tavernier an upholder of standards

Gerrard also spoke about Tavernier’s strong character.

Wolves have lacked these kind of players in recent times and acquiring them as part of this rebuild will be essential.

Encouragingly, Tavernier appears to be the consummate professional.

“James lifted his standards a lot, under myself, continued Gerrard. “He was immaculate, always in there on time, doing his gym work. Always produced a certain level of performance, he was always there, he was durable. 

“He wasn’t someone who put blame about, he used to take it on the chin, he knew when he wasn’t good. I think that’s a big part of being a leader, is showing your peers that you’re prepared to take heat and these responsibilities. 

“He’s helped other people. He’s universally liked in the group. He wasn’t the perfect captain, I think James would be the first person to admit that, but I think, looking back at it now, we took a slight risk at the time because there probably were more natural leaders in the group.”