23 Apr 2026 11:28:15
My input into the Legend debate.
Personally i would not class James Tavernier as a legend.
I do understand why some will.
I feel in the UK the term legend gets used far too loosely.
A legend for me is someone who not only performs well for the club but leaves an unquestionable legacy for generations to come.
I use my club as an example.
We have one person elevated to legend status.
Roald, "knicksen" Jensen.
His legacy stands today as the knicksen award is awarded annually to the goal of the season winner in Norway.
I understand at Rangers there are a lot more but true legends leave a legacy.
Bill Struth is still quoted today
Walter Smith
Sandy Jardine
John Grieg
These people have been honoured by statues and the naming of stands at the club.
James Tavernier has been a great servant but i just don't feel he should be elevated to that status.
23 Apr 2026 12:28:05
I would agree, but only because my definition of a legend is a step up from even a great Rangers player. Legends are people like Bill Struth, Walter Smith, John Greig, Sandy Jardine, Richard Gough, Ally McCoist and a few others. Tav has been a great servant and a great player for the club, but not a legend in my opinion.
23 Apr 2026 12:55:04
Never a legend in my mind.
23 Apr 2026 13:01:48
Never a legend, agreed, But, can anyone put their finger in the air & think of anyone who might stay with us for 11 years and score over 200 goals?
I include forwards in that btw?
Good luck to him, wherever he goes.
23 Apr 2026 13:08:30
Tav would walk into the 9 in a row side at rb and he'd have won everything and we would still be talking about him. He's been through 10 managers and ownership changes. He's always available and is a British record holder. If he had gone back to England in his prime, he'd have won caps covering for Kyle Walker.
I find it disgusting that supporters who've never done anything for the club call out this man who has never flinched in his commitment to the club no matter what is thrown at him by "fans".
23 Apr 2026 13:24:37
Although he may not be a legend, it has to be said that James Tavernier has been a great servant to our club. His goals and assists for a RB in his 11 years at the club cannot be understated. None more important than the game against RB Leipzig. I, for one, wish him all the very best, and thank you for some special memories.
23 Apr 2026 13:24:52
I'd like to add Willie Waddell to Aphelion's list.
23 Apr 2026 13:27:03
I wouldn't class Tav as a legend throughout his time. Tav stuck by us for many years when the club was struggling. No fault of Tav for not winning more trophies, but as a squad we were just not good enough. Now, ironically, I will call him and every player, management team, legends for winning 55 and stopping their 10 in a row.
Tav has done more good for the club than bad. Criticised maybe too harshly for his mistakes, but you can't fault his commitment to the club. In regards to captaincy, we have had a good few managers during Tav's Rangers career and they have all kept him captain.
23 Apr 2026 13:30:52
He's a record breaker - that will do for me, Jimmy.
23 Apr 2026 13:36:00
Just to add, will we ever have another goal scoring right back like Tav? I very much doubt it.
23 Apr 2026 13:36:23
Do not take this as an argument for legend status. But is being the all time top scoring British defender not leaving a legacy behind?
My opinion is there are arguments both for and against. His goal involvements being a big pro, the run to Europa final whilst being top scorer as a RB, his assists, availability, loyalty all arguments for. Arguments against simply trophy count, his position as a defender means his priority should be defending, and that was the weakest part of his game.
Personally I don't think he is a legend in the bracket of the aforementioned players, I see him as a level down from those players.
But great servant and definitely hampered by timing in terms of when he was at the club. You put him in the squads for 9IAR etc, the team doesn't lose the titles and I would argue putting a McCoist, Goram, etc into the squads he was in doesn't win you the league, but to be honest there is no right or wrong answer. It's an opinion thing, and I, for one, will find it strange not having Tav in a squad. Having been someone who's said his legs are gone for the last couple seasons and that he should be moved on, it will be weird not having him at first, but it is the right decision.
23 Apr 2026 13:46:24
There is no hard and fast rule for who or what qualifies for legendary status - it's all completely personal.
I don't think Tav is a legend and I've openly questioned his leadership, but I have no issue or grievance with anyone who does.
He's been a hell of a servant who's never given anything less than 100% over the course of 11 years. He's carried the weight of the jersey through some awful times and I'd love to see him go out on a high with the title.
23 Apr 2026 13:51:45
I agree, EHL, this was never an insult to him.
I have just outlined how I have come to the opinion I do have.
23 Apr 2026 13:55:21
What I'll also say about Tav is he has to be one of the fittest right backs ever to have played for Rangers. ? I can only think of Gary Stevens who could come close to Tav's fitness record. ? ?? Both Stevens and Tav were absolute athletes who very rarely got injured, excluding when Stevens unfortunately broke his leg. They both were always available. ?
23 Apr 2026 14:02:12
?? Fans who do nothing for the club, same fans who pump in season ticket money year after year and spend on match days, give it peace.
23 Apr 2026 15:24:22
Coops, you aren't a legend just because you are fit tho.
I don't care if some fans think he is legend, the same we, me and others don't. It's an individual think for the fan.
The fact there is a debate about it, in my eyes, means he isn't, as no one would argue about Bill Struth, Walter Smith, Super Ally (as a player) etc.
23 Apr 2026 15:30:56
Livibear i find your comment absolutely astounding.
" Supporters who have never done anything for the club"
The same supporters who kept Rangers alive?
What have you done for the club?
You must have an outstanding contribution to make if you feel able to make such a comment
23 Apr 2026 18:12:04
2/3 voted he is a legend.
We're talking about the top-scoring defender in British football history, a penalty away from winning a European trophy for Rangers. Cooper is a Rangers legend, and rightly so, but he only won a couple more trophies than Tavernier.
Tavernier has around 300 goal contributions from Rb, so he is a legend in 2 out of 3 on here.
Heard it said about penalties, didn't Ally take them as well? Or didn't the man Tavernier, the number one best-scoring defender in British football history, take penalties? Some will find something.