- Tavernier has worn captain’s armband for eight years
- 34-year-old has announced he is leaving Rangers
- Englishman is longest-serving captain since John Greig
Rangers will be on the hunt for their 34th permanent captain after James Tavernier announced his departure at the end of the season.
As the 33rd man to permanently wear the captain’s armband, Tavernier has held the position since July 2018 with his appointment one of the first decisions of the Steven Gerrard era.
His has witnessed many highlights during his tenure as captain such as winning Rangers’ 55th league title in 2021 and leading the club to Seville in the Europa League final the following year.
A near-decade as club captain means that Tavernier will forever be part of the Gers’ history.
However, what sets the 34-year-old out is his place as one of Rangers’ longest-serving captains.
6. James Tavernier (6 July 2018-present; 7 years, 283 days)
The outgoing Rangers’ captain will conclude his Rangers career as the sixth longest-serving skipper in the club’s history.
Tavernier has witnessed a lot of change in that time with six permanent managers occupying the dugout from Steven Gerrard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, Russell Martin to the incumbent Danny Rohl.
As well as lifting silverware with the club, he also became Britain’s best scoring defender which is an incredible achievement considering that scoring goals is not the primary responsibility of defenders.
5. David Meiklejohn (1930-1938; 8 years)
Appointed during the reign of Bill Struth, Meiklejohn won 13 league trophies as captain for Rangers while adding another six Scottish Cups to the cabinet.
A defender, he scored 46 goals and made 563 appearances.
4. Robert Hamilton (1898-1906; 8 years)
Hamilton was the fourth captain to be appointed at Rangers, a year before the appointment of William Wilton.
During his captaincy, the Gers won their second, third, fourth and fifth league title as well as a Scottish Cup.
3. Tommy Cairns (1916-1926; 10 years)
The last captain to be selected by Rangers’ first-ever manager, Cairns was a massive part of the club’s early history and helped lead the club to six league titles.
2. Jock Shaw (1940-1953; 13 years)
Shaw is best known for being Rangers’ captain during the Second World War and captaining the club to its first-ever treble in 1949.
1. John Greig (1965-1978; 13 years)
The greatest ever Ranger, John Greig is the longest-serving skipper in the club’s history.
The 83-year-old is remembered for winning the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1972 alongside a plethora of domestic trophies as captain including three league titles, four Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
