James Tavernier has spoken of his pride at being inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame but says there are many more chapters still to come.
The skipper was one of three current squad members that were recognised for their contribution to the Ibrox club alongside Steven Davis and Allan McGregor.
Since arriving from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2015, Tavernier has been an integral part of the club’s rise back to the top of Scottish football as well as guiding Rangers to a European final.
And while Davis and McGregor may be nearing the end of their playing careers, Tavernier is hoping to add more silverware to the Ibrox Trophy Room in seasons to come. “I'm unbelievably honoured and privileged to be alongside such special players who have represented Rangers throughout the years,” he said.
“A special message to my teammates Steven Davis and Allan McGregor, it's a huge honour for them and they deserve it for what they have given the football club.
"It's up there with some of the top achievements to be selected to go into a Hall of Fame at a club like Rangers. It's a special moment and it hasn't quite sunk in yet.
“When I hang my boots up and look back on it, it's something that will be with me for the rest of my life. I will be able to visit Ibrox and my name will be up there on the board. It's something that's really special that I know in time will really set in for me and my family to enjoy it as well.
“This is why you become a footballer and it's just another great example of why I gave my best all these years and to be chosen to go into the Hall of Fame means the world to me. I am looking to pay that back and give everything.
“I've got so many more chapters and I'm hungrier than ever to achieve what we all want to achieve and that's winning more trophies.”
READ MORE: James Tavernier's Rangers Hall of Fame credentials analysed
Tavernier has spent the past seven-and-a-half years at Rangers which is not in keeping with his career prior to his switch when he had numerous loans playing for clubs throughout England.
However, it’s safe to say Glasgow is now home. “My wife and I had a campervan and went up and down the country with my loan moves,” he said.
“They got cut short and that interrupted my football. To find a place in Glasgow where I have really been treated as one of their own, and my family is all settled, the football side, I'm more settled than ever so the whole combination was perfect. That's why it's been easy to be here.
“It's my eighth season and football really does fly and the years go past but that's because I've been so comfortable.
“I will always go back to the early days and it's Rangers who give me the foundations to do what I do on a daily basis which is playing football, something I love. So I will always try and pay Rangers back for that. It's about trying to improve every day and trying to push myself and the team. We are all wanting to share those special memories we have done previously to bring back more success to the club.
“It's been testing but I've enjoyed whatever has come my way. I like challenges and trying to make myself better and the only way you can do that is by challenging yourself. You always want to learn and try and better yourself.
“I've tried to do that over the years and I'm a stronger person mentally so hopefully that puts me in a good place to help others around me to do what we want to do which is winning more trophies and be a better football team.”
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