The Rangers clues from last season that hint at James Tavernier's future role

Instead, changes were aplenty on the pitch, with the role of the previously buccaneering James Tavernier from right-back being curbed. Constant experimentation in the right midfield position over the next few months eventually led to van Bronckhorst concluding that his captain remained the side’s most potent attacking threat on that side.

However, with the club likely to dip back into transfer market in search of a long-term solution in the position, there is every possibility that Tavernier could, once again, find his role tweaked.

van Bronckhorst wasted no time in deploying the wide wingers he promised upon his appointment, with the Dutchman favouring a flatter back four during build-up.

This was predominantly to isolate the wide men in advanced areas, with Tavernier looking to bait the press when the ball was moved to the right-hand side.

In doing so, he would draw the opposition’s winger forward to create separation on the flanks, increasing the space for the right midfielder to receive in.

Rangers would then use the single pivot – typically Glen Kamara in the early days under the Dutchman – to feed the ball into before the Finland international moved it first time, around-the-corner, to the right winger who was isolated one-vs-one against the opposition full-back on the touchline.

This build-up pattern was most pronounced in the lead-up to Ryan Kent’s goal against St. Johnstone in December.

Again, Tavernier is deliberate in taking a first touch inside to draw his marker forward.

He then places a pass into Kamara, before the midfielder moves it first time onto Ianis Hagi on the touchline.

The Romanian is then able to feed the ball into Alfredo Morelos as Rangers transition into the space in-behind the St. Johnstone backline, which is prompted by the initial pressure on Tavernier.

It proved an effective ploy in the early days of van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox reign, but it was more revealing how the Dutchman deployed his skipper against teams who were steadfast in their refusal to pressure Rangers higher up the pitch.

Then-St. Mirren boss Jim Goodwin made no secret of his desire to frustrate Rangers in a deep defensive block pre-match when he took his side to Ibrox on Boxing Day last season.

van Bronckhorst counteracted the numerical mis-match at the top end of the pitch by instructing Tavernier to vacate his traditional full-back role and play further inside the pitch. The 30-year-old’s receptions map from the afternoon underlines the centrality of his role.

Among the benefits of Tavernier’s inside role that afternoon is that it allowed Rangers to ‘skip’ passes during build-up.

As Goldson picks up the ball, Tavernier moves high into the right half-space, looking to threaten with a run between St. Mirren’s left-sided central defender and left wing-back.

In doing so, he forces St. Mirren to narrow, opening up a clear passing lane between Goldson and Scott Wright on the touchline.

The Gers winger can then receive the ball and instantly drive at the opposition’s backline.

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Similarly, Rangers can also enjoy quicker ball circulation by having Tavernier’s presence inside rather than in close proximity to the winger.

In the example below, van Bronckhorst’s side are crowded out on the left-hand side.

Tavernier has drifted infield to take up a central midfield role, providing Kent with a passing option on the edge of the penalty area.

The Rangers captain can then spread the ball to the opposite flank where Wright has the space to isolate his marker.

It’s also important to note the positioning of Hagi in the above sequence. By drifting inside to occupy a central position, Tavernier allows the Romanian to push onto the last line and occupy the St. Mirren defence as opposed to sitting outside of the danger area as a relay option.

Given the problems Rangers wrestled with last season in relation to the spread of goals across the team, Tavernier’s inside role offers a potential solution in liberating the midfielders to occupy the penalty box with greater regularity.

The timing of Tavernier’s movement inside could also be key in maximising his creative qualities within the role.

By arriving inside from deep, as opposed to occupying an inverted position in a similar way to Celtic’s full-backs under Ange Postecoglou, it makes Tavernier more difficult to pick up.

As Joe Aribo gathers the ball in the final third, Tavernier arrives from out of frame in the bottom left corner.

St. Mirren lack the required defensive coverage across the width of the pitch in midfield, allowing Tavernier to ghost into the final third unchecked.

The time and space he is afforded allows him to thread Morelos in-behind for a one-on-one opportunity.

Tavernier’s ability to arrive late inside perhaps offers an insight into links with Stoke City’s Josh Tymon. The Rangers Review detailed the left-back extensively and highlighted his proficiency in creating from the inside channel.

By having a winger stretching the pitch, Tavernier is allowed to deliver from more profitable areas in the right half-space.

READ MORE: The Ianis Hagi qualities that could define his Rangers future and the key improvement he must make

In a rare moment where St. Mirren pressed high up the pitch in last season’s clash at Ibrox, Rangers are able to move the ball wide to the right-back.

Striding forward, St. Mirren’s left wing-back is preoccupied by Wright’s wide positioning, allowing Tavernier to spot the overload at the far post.

Unfortunately, his cross is slightly under-hit, but the idea was obvious.

By being selective in his movements inside, Tavernier has proven to be increasingly difficult to stifle.

His role in Goldson’s late winner at Dens Park last season underlined his situational intelligence.

As Rangers recover the ball and move it wide, Tavernier continues his vertical run.

With Fashion Sakala stretching the pitch, space opens up for the Rangers captain to receive a pass inside.

Dundee are spooked by the run of the right-back and are late to narrow across, allowing Tavernier to pull the back for Kemar Roofe inside the penalty area.

The striker’s effort ricochets up into the air where Goldson is on hand to steer it home.

Having turned the elder side of 30 last season, Rangers would be smart in mapping out a succession plan for their captain.

Tavernier boasts an immense physical profile that should extend his career longer than the average full-back, but logic dictates that the superhero acts that Rangers have come to rely on from their captain will diminish over the next few seasons.

By tweaking the Englishman’s role upon the arrival of a defined right midfield profile in the squad, Tavernier’s Ibrox career could realistically be extended. Those distances towards the opposition’s goal will be reduced, while a greater emphasis on an inside role will reduce the instances where he is left isolated from a defensive perspective.

The evolution of Tavernier could be primed for another chapter.