‘We’ve been very lucky’: Andy Halliday surprised Rangers 28-year-old hasn’t been eyed by English side

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Glasgow Rangers defender James Tavernier has been praised by Andy Halliday, expressing surprise that no team south of the border has moved for the Ibrox man.

The Gers captain enjoyed a fairly mixed season last time out, impressing with his goalscoring contributions – 15 assists and three goals from 45 matches in all competitions.

However, Tavernier also came for some criticism, in particular for his comments in Rangers’ pre-match programme ahead of the Scottish Premiership fixture with Hamilton.

In the programme, the 28-year-old suggested that Steven Gerrard’s side were “affected too much” by their league counterparts not pressing them in games.

The comments came after Rangers’ drop in form following the winter break, but Halliday is adamant Tavernier would love to take back those words, before praising his talents and leadership.

“I think one thing you notice at clubs at Rangers is every defeat feels like a catastrophe,” he told BBC Sport, as transcribed in The Scottish Sun.

“That is when the leaders of the group really need to pick up the spirits of the squad. I think that’s something that Tav and a couple of others in the squad have been brilliant at.

“I feel as if he’s come under a lot of unfair criticism over his Rangers career. I actually think we’ve been very lucky to hold onto him because I’m surprised nobody in England has come in for Tav over the last couple of seasons.”

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Rangers began last season well but the post-winter break collapse was a hard pill to swallow, and Tavernier’s comments didn’t go down well with many Bears.

However, things look much better this time round – the Gers are yet to concede a goal in the league this season, testament to huge improvements at the back.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times in July, Ally McCoist deemed Tavernier and Borna Barisic “absolutely excellent going forward”.

He did suspect that Gerrard “probably had a word with them regarding defensive duties as well”, and it certainly seems the case now.