Rangers captain James Tavernier is statistically "the best defender in Europe this season".

This is according to SuperBettingSites who, in accordance with Whoscored’s rating system and gathering key performance metrics from Opta, state that in the Scottish Premiership the Englishman has made "46 tackles, 43 clearances, 21 interceptions and scored 10 goals across 20 matches and 1791 minutes on the field".

Tavernier is also the highest-scoring defender in Europe and is currently tops the list of the 20 best defenders on the continent, pipping players such as Virgil van Djik and Joao Cancelo in terms of his league numbers.

The Englishman has already helped the Ibrox side lift the League Cup during this campaign as he netted the winner in the final.

He is also currently two goals behind Rangers legend John Greig's all-time club scoring record of 120.

And Tavernier previously revealed the close bond the pair share.

Speaking to the Rangers Review, he said: "He reliably informs me he’d score all the goals I do with a broken leg.

"I got to see a lot more of Mr. Greig when I started at Rangers. He used to come into the back room at Dr Jackson's when the stadium was a bit different. I’d see him before and after games and I’d get a lot of grief no matter how I played.

“He is a true legend of the club. It’s only right we have a statue outside to mark his contribution. Overtaking him would be a huge achievement but I could never compare myself to him. I just try to be a sponge around him.

“I’ve always appreciated whatever words I’ve had around him, even if it’s been grief, and keep learning because he has an abundance of knowledge"