Tavernier and Goldson the least of Rangers problems and fans should be careful what they wish for - Kenny Miller

Imagine Philippe Clement sitting down for a Rangers recruitment meeting this summer.

With Nils Koppen and James Bisgrove, they’ll be discussing what changes have to be made to the Ibrox squad. And when it comes to the priority areas for the manager – do you honestly believe the right side of his defence will be one of them? Of all the positions that need upgrading, James Tavernier’s isn’t one of them.

And even in the case of Connor Goldson at centre-back, I think there are far more pressing matters for Clement to deal with. Let’s get one thing straight. Both players have been incredible servants to Rangers. Through all the highs and lows – and three different managers – Tavernier and Goldson have ALWAYS been available and never hid once. Having guys like that in the dressing-room is priceless. Yet in the last few days, I’ve been reading about their so-called demise at Ibrox.

There’s supposedly interest from Saudi Arabia with big money on offer and some fans want to cut their losses. But I’d be very careful about what you wish for.

I’ll start with Goldson. For me, any chat about his decline is premature. Has he been as good this season compared to previous campaigns? No.

I heard him in a podcast saying he’s constantly “feared the axe” at Rangers. That tells me he’s probably felt himself this season that he’s not been at the same level.

I’ve heard people saying Goldson’s legs have gone and he’s finished. Listen, I played until I was 38 and he’s only 31. And he’s a centre-back. Davie Weir played in that position for Gers at 41.

But he’s on the wrong side of 30 and for any footballer at that age, you have to start relying on other things like game
intelligence and positioning. You have to be smarter rather than relying on your physical capabilities.

Connor should be looking at that now. Because where is he going to go after Rangers? If interest from Saudi is genuine the salary might be life-changing. Maybe he could still go to the Premier League as a squad player.

But he’s currently at a club where he’s fighting on all fronts. If I was him, I’d knuckle down and prove people wrong.

I certainly wouldn’t be giving in. And I definitely wouldn’t be giving up playing for Rangers. These are all questions for Connor. It’s up to him.

People have voiced their opinion on him after he was left out of the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. Only he can turn those views around.

In terms of Tavernier? Everyone knows what I think of the captain. And it’s ridiculous to be talking about the right side of Clement’s defence when it’s the left side that has needed fixing for some time now.

Does Tav make mistakes? Absolutely. But does Lionel Messi make mistakes? Yes. The best players in the world make them.

Unfortunately, when you play for Rangers in this city and there’s a certain narrative around you – it sticks. Tavernier has won every trophy in Scotland but, let’s be clear, it hasn’t been enough.

He’ll be fully aware of that because I know what he’s like. But he’s been Rangers’ outstanding player in almost all of the nine seasons he’s been at the club. When he arrived in the Scottish Championship, he took our game by storm as a modern-day full-back and with his ability from set-pieces.

As a footballer, Tav is right at the top of his game. Are there things he can be better at? Of course. But that goes for any player.

His numbers, for goals and assists, are obscene for a full-back. And I’m not buying this theory that he can’t defend. If Rangers fans genuinely believe that he and Goldson need replaced, what about the rest of the squad this summer?

Clement can’t change them all. If you try to do that, you’ve got no chance of sustained, long-term success.

A new striker? A left-back? Wide players? He needs all of them. Has Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence done enough to be there next season?

If John Lundstram goes, who comes in for him? Tavernier and Goldson will be the LEAST of Clement’s worries and that’s why he expects both to stay at Ibrox.

Connor will have his own ideas on his future. And he might not like the recent criticism. But unless someone comes in with £10m for Tav, I wouldn’t be letting him go. And even at that price, I’d question who would be available to do the same job.

Not just because of his goals, which have been phenomenal. It’s everything about him as a footballer and what he gives this Rangers team. He’d be the biggest example yet of supporters not realising what they had until he’s gone.