Rarely, if ever, in nearly a decade at Rangers has James Tavernier lived a week like the last one. There was nothing particularly out-of-the-ordinary about results, even considering a big away win in the Europa League. Still, it was the right-back’s involvement that suggests a corner could’ve been turned.

The Rangers captain only started one of his side’s three matches as they drew with Dundee United, won in Nice and snuck past St Johnstone. Had Dujon Sterling not missed the game due to a blocked nerve that requires an appointment with a specialist the 25-year-old may well have retained his spot at full-back that, in December’s big matches, looks likely to be his own.

Philippe Clement’s admission in the summer that Tavernier would be rotated this season unlike previous years has taken until November to kick into action. Speaking following the narrow win in Perth, earned through a Jason Holt own goal that Tavernier was at the centre of, the Belgian manager insisted he was convinced that fewer minutes and fresher legs can help the long-serving full-back’s form which has dipped for periods of the current campaign. Tavernier’s own take on missing out? Exactly what you’d expect from a player who’s been nearly flawless in terms of availability for the past decade.

"I don't see age being a problem. Three months ago I think I'd missed one game,” said Tavernier who has recently turned 33.

"So nothing's really changed. Ok, I've gone up one number in my age, but I still feel fitter than ever to play every single game. So it's obviously different, unusual [to not start every game], but it's down to me to be really professional and keep working really hard, and try to be a leader behind the scenes at the training ground and really push the boys on and anyone who's asked to put on the shirt in the starting 11 has got to perform. Yeah, it's obviously different."

"I'm used to playing three games a week, that's what I really love to do. It's what I've been used to for so many years and the stats and the numbers I put in are still right up there. So, it's just about me continuing to work hard and when asked to play, deliver a performance."

Quizzed if his pride had been hurt by sitting on the bench over the past week, he replied: "You obviously want to be playing every single game. That's just in your nature, you want to play every single game. But there's a level of you've got to be professional and really help the team if you're not and when asked to play, you've got to obviously make an impact."

Clement may have decided against Tavernier starting week-in and week-out recently but the Rangers manager remains defiant in his defence of a player he’s demonstrated loyalty towards since arriving in Glasgow. After the outing in Perth, Clement suggested some have been too quick to right off a player who has a habit of responding to criticism. As he prepares for 10 years at Ibrox with the possibility of a testimonial, Tavernier insists he’s more motivated than ever.

"What I have done over the years is kept on asking questions, kept on striving to be better, to keep putting in the numbers. Obviously, I'm still trying to do that,” he added.

"I'm more hungry than ever. Every season that comes, I'm always hungry to outdo myself. So I'll always continue to push myself as much as possible to better myself."

Asked if he’d thought about a testimonial game next summer, the defender continued: "Obviously I need to complete this season then that's on the cards and it's very unusual these days for testimonials and players being at clubs for so long. We will just have to wait and see."

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While not the most inspiring of performances yesterday’s win at McDiarmid Park was crucial for Clement and his side. Rangers made up ground on Aberdeen in second place that they’d failed to exploit the week prior after Jimmy Thelin’s men drew 1-1 with Hearts at Tynecastle. Frustration remains at the contrast between European and domestic form on the road - the Ibrox side have still managed just three goals away from home in the league, a tally they matched in the first half against Nice last Thursday - but days after that testing win, points really mattered.

"Yeah, it's obviously important, especially after the European game. It's obviously key to come back to domestic football and get the result that we needed and get the performance that was required,” Tavernier added.

While a first league goal of the season continues to evade the normally prolific defender it was his run into the box that resulted in former teammate Holt diverting the ball into his own net. The creator was a certain Ianis Hagi, making his first start for the club since May 2023.

"I was obviously attacking and I think Holty got in front of me a couple of times. But one of my strengths is arriving in the box and if the boys are putting the balls in the box, then I'll try and get on the end of them,” he added.

"But yeah, [I’m] just playing my game and obviously trying to help the team.

“[Ianis has been] a credit to himself. He's been really professional, been working really hard behind the scenes, at the training grounds, and getting the reward to start today and really make an impact on the team. So I'm really delighted for him. He is a big asset for us."

Sunday also saw news emerge that Neraysho Kasanwirjo is unlikely to play again for the club this season after succumbing to injury with the Netherlands Under-21 side during the November international break. The defender will return to parent club Feyenoord to complete his rehab with Rangers still holding a purchase option come the end of the season.

"Obviously it happened in the International break when he playing for Holland,” Tavernier said.

"It didn't look the greatest one [and he's] had the operation - he was a great asset for the team and he could play full-back, centre-back, so could play a different role.

“He'll be a big miss for the team, but it's now down to the rest of the players to fill that gap, but [we're] hoping for him to have a really fast recovery. I spoke to him[and] it's never nice to see an injury like that, or to go underneath the knife, but he's a strong character, so hopefully he can really recover quickly from this."