Peterborough United boss and diehard Celtic fan Steve Evans has extraordinarily claimed that Rangers star James Tavernier could slot in at Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Right-back Tavernier has been in the form of his life for the Gers this season, scoring six goals and laying on nine assists.
The 27-year-old’s red-hot form has been rewarded with a new contract at Ibrox, and he has also been handed the captain’s armband on several occasions.
Now Evans, who managed Tavernier while at Rotherham, has claimed that Tavernier could walk into some of the Premier League’s best sides.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Evans said: “I’m a Celtic supporter but I’ll have huge admiration and respect for James when he leads out a great club like Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday. He was a modern-day full-back who I always felt would go to a big club and achieve great things.
“If Tavernier played at Man City, would he slot in? I think he would. Arguably, he’s better than anything Man United or Chelsea have in that position. Chelsea play with wing-backs but if you do that, Tavernier would be among the best in the country.
“You’ll never stop the power and money of the Premier League clubs who can cherry pick players. I know managers in the Premier League and top end of the Championship who would have taken James. I gave a few a similar reference to the one I gave Mark. But the people who look after him see his future at Ibrox. And it was difficult for anyone to get him because he wants to stay there.”
Tavernier’s new deal sees him tied to the club until the summer of 2021, and the contract was a huge boost for the club after the flyer was the subject of English interest in January.
OPINION
There is no doubt that Tavernier is a great player in the form of his life, but whether he could slot into a top Premier League side is another matter entirely. The teams Evans mentioned possess some of the best talent in the world, and the step up from Rangers would be rather large. Talking more realistically, it seems that Tavernier is enjoying life at Rangers and him signing a new deal is testament to that. There is still a slight chance he will leave this summer, but it is clear that he wants to win silverware with Rangers and that should see him stay another season.