By Scott McDermott

Copyright dailyrecord

At the start of the season the question was could Rangers really keep going with James Tavernier in the team. Just eight weeks into the campaign, the same people are now asking – where exactly would they be without him? Even yours truly has to hold their hands up here. After the US takeover at Ibrox and appointment of Russell Martin as gaffer, it felt like a new dawn. It was my opinion that, for the manager to properly overhaul the squad and change the culture at the club – the skipper had to be replaced. That was no slight on Tavernier as a player or as a person. I’ve gone on record to say he’s one of Rangers’ best-ever signings. And it will only be when he does hang up his boots that supporters will truly appreciate what he’s contributed on the pitch. But as part of his revamp, Martin should have signed a new captain. A new leader in the dressing-room, to signify a change of direction. That would have triggered seismic change, which most punters felt was needed. That view still stands in a sense, because Rangers don’t have anywhere near enough of them. Plenty of people agreed and thought Tavernier would gradually be phased out of the side in his 10th year at Ibrox. Let’s be honest, Martin probably believed it himself. After all, the first arrival when he took over was right-back Max Aarons, who was earmarked for the position. And it wasn’t long into the gaffer’s tenure when he decided to leave Tavernier out of the side altogether. At that point, it was what a large chunk of Rangers fans wanted. But now? The 33-year-old is back to being the first name on the team-sheet. And for that, he deserves huge credit. Because it’s two-fold with Tavernier. In a playing sense, he’s lifted his game again. Of course, he’s not the marauding, free-scoring full-back who tortured Borussia Dortmund a few years ago en route to being the Europa League’s top marksman. He doesn’t have the legs to bomb up and down at every opportunity. Now, he picks his moments when to go and when to stay. And he hasn’t lost any of his technique. So he’s still a major threat from wide areas with his delivery – and one of the best in the business on set-pieces. Also, under Martin he’s actually been given a bit more licence to come in the pitch, as opposed to constantly going on the outside. As a player, he’s impacting games – which so many others in this Rangers team currently aren’t. He proved it again at Livingston on Sunday. Despite missing a penalty, he tucked away Gers’ opener with a terrific finish, then played his part in Aarons’ stoppage time winner. It’s an indictment of the manager’s start in the job – and also the club’s ropey recruitment – that Tavernier remains their most dangerous player and most likely goalscorer. We could go on all day about Rangers’ and Martin’s deficiencies, which might well be exposed again on Thursday night against Sturm Graz in the Europa League. But at least the captain can be relied upon when the whistle blows. And the biggest praise you can give Tavernier this term relates to his attitude off the pitch. Because let’s be honest, he could easily have thrown his toys out of the pram. What was stopping him doing a Hamza Igamane or Nico Raskin in going head-to-head with Martin? After a decade’s service, he hasn’t yet been offered a new deal to stay. Yet another right-back was signed to take his jersey – then the new manager dropped him. While all manner of things were going wrong for Martin, Tavernier could have added to them by putting the tools away. And at the same time, allowing the dressing-room to become fractious and fragmented. But he didn’t. Instead, he’s knuckled down, grafted his way into the team again and shown Martin that he’s still the best they’ve got. Crucially, he’s helped to keep that changing room together. If the manager’s right and these players are all united and behind him as he tries to somehow reverse their form – he’ll have Tavernier to thank for fostering that. It might all count for nothing if Rangers struggle to haul themselves back up the Premiership table or can’t make their mark in Europe. But can you imagine the state they’d be in – or where they’d be sitting – if Tavernier wasn’t around? Who else in that squad would be guiding them? Who else at least knows what it means to play for the club? And who else would be digging them out of a hole every other week with a goal or assist? For Martin and the supporters who want him out, that doesn’t bear thinking about. As for Tavernier, fair play to him. He’s still going, still their top man and main influence. When he does eventually leave, he’ll always be remembered for lifting the title in 2021 and securing 55. As well as leading them to that Europa League Final in Seville a year later. But if he can somehow drag this beleaguered team back into contention – and be the catalyst for some sort of unlikely Martin redemption? That might just be the skipper’s biggest achievement yet.