Rangers first-team coach Alex Rae insists that speculation has been a fact of life for James Tavernier at Rangers, as noise surrounding the Ibrox captain continued.

Tavernier has been the subject of two bids from Turkish outfit Trabzonspor in recent days. Rangers have been open to offers for the 32-year-old this summer as Philippe Clement and head of football recruitment Nils Koppen aim to rebuild the core of the squad.

Tavernier, who hasn’t been training due to injury, was not present as Rangers suffered a 2-0 friendly defeat against Manchester United at Murrayfield on Saturday. Goals from Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill ensured a comfortable victory for Eric ten Hag’s men.

READ MORE: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours before the transfer window

Speaking to the press afterwards Rae insisted there was nothing to report, despite an exit for Taverneir edging closer.

“There has been speculation throughout the course of Tavernier’s time here,” Rae said.

“He has been linked many times, there have been lots of rumours. We just deal with it as it happens. There is nothing to report as such. Listen, Tav is an integral part of what we do here and hopefully that continues.”

Pressed further on the offer from Trabzonspor, Rae added: “I have no idea. I don’t even know what the bid is. That is above my pay grade. “For me his being at this club is vital. He has been an integral part over recent years, I think he scored 20-odd goals last year, so we will wait and see what happens – on all of them.

“I am here to talk about the game today. It is not really fair on me to say. You are talking about him as if he has left, he is still very much part of the squad.”

Should Tavernier depart the right-back mantle will fall upon Dujon Sterling who was impressive again in Edinburgh. The 24-year-old broke into the Rangers team playing a variety of positions last year but arrived, and has spent the majority of his professional career, on the right of a back four.

"Dujon brings plenty of qualities,” Rae said.

“He came up against a quality Jadon Sancho today and he coped very well, defensively and offensively. We want to get Dujon in the right place physically going into this season and by getting those minutes today against quality players, he will get that.

Another player who caught the Rangers coach’s eye was Connor Barron. Having arrived from Aberdeen this summer, the 21-year-old midfielder will be relied upon quickly after it emerged that Nico Raskin is out for up to six weeks with an injury sustained in last week’s meeting with Ajax.

"It's a big step for him, because he's obviously filling big boots,” Rae said.

“John Lundstram has been at a good level for this club for a long time. I'm spending a wee bit of time with him one-on-one as well. He's got a lot to learn, in terms of learning the game. It's similar to myself at that age, faults and flaws, but his endeavour and application and willingness are evident. He's spent a lot of time on and off the training pitch trying to get better.”

Rangers have brought in five new players since the start of the summer window but two of those, Hamza Igamane and Clinton Nsiala, weren’t in the squad at Murrayfield with Clement previously suggesting both have been signed with an eye to the future.

Asked if more quality is needed before Rangers return to Edinburgh in a fortnight to face Hearts at the start of the league season, Rae said: "I think there's a couple of areas where we'd like to bring players in, but as the manager has said, I think we have to get some players going out first and foremost. And again, that'll reflect on who goes out the door. Until we get that, we'll have to prioritise when who actually leaves.

"I think one of the things today was seeing wee Dani [Danilo] back playing again. He's looking sharp. He created a really good opportunity and got a good save off the goalkeeper. The quicker we get him up to speed ... and we've obviously got Cyriel and Dani, and trying to get [Hamza] up to speed as well.

"I think [Danilo] still got a wee bit to go in a fortnight. But the one thing he has looked is bright, sharp. The one thing he's shown in the past few days in training is how good a finisher he is. You put him in those positions. He's been out for several months now so it's about getting him those minutes which will allow him to start games.”