JAMES TAVERNIER believes new Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will lift standards at the Ibrox club to the highest level.
The Light Blues skipper’s enthusiasm was clear to see when asked about his reaction to the appointment of his countryman.
“It’s been an exciting few days to hear Steven will be our new manager because his career speaks volumes,” he said. “It’s great for the club.
“When I hear the name Gerrard, I just think of his playing days and that Champions League Final in 2005.
“That showed the character he has. What he’s done for Liverpool as a captain and as a leader is incredible.
“So I can’t wait to see his tactics, his mind-set and what he’ll bring to the squad.
“He’ll bring standards. He’s been a captain, he’s played at the highest level and for England.
“So he’s had the highest standards and he’ll instil them in the boys.
“Then he’ll have his own methods of how he wants to play football and I’m looking forward to seeing that.”
After the buzz surrounding the appointment on Friday, the atmosphere at Ibrox yesterday was curiously muted with Tavernier agreeing the departure of boss Graeme Murty was still on the minds of many of the players.
“We haven’t been good enough in two Old Firm games,” he said.
“We let the fans and the gaffer down.
“That’s why it’s so disappointing when a manager loses his job.
“That’s why we need to maximise these three games by picking up results.
“Hearing we have Steven as the new gaffer is a huge boost for the club and I’m sure there will be exciting times ahead.
“It’ll be instant respect when he comes into the dressing room.
“We had that with Graeme Murty and it’ll be the same with Steven.
“The fact he’s played at the highest level means it’ll come straight away.
“I’ve never met him or played against him. I only follow him on Instagram!
“The aims have to be for the next two games because if we win them and finish second it’ll put us in a better position for the Europa League qualifiers.
“It will give us more time off to recharge the batteries.
“But with Steven coming in, I’m sure the boys will be firing as soon as we come back for pre-season.
“Because we all want to be challenging next season. We have to be challenging for the league and the cups.
“But we’ve heard there will be new faces so we’ll have to see what happens.
“These last two games will be about impressing the new manager.”
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