Rangers squad driven to give Tavernier 'perfect send-off'

[SNS]

Emmanuel Fernandez says he felt "shellshocked" when captain James Tavernier told the team he was leaving at the end of the season.

The central defender, who is in his first campaign with the Ibrox club, says he and his team-mates want to give Tavernier the "perfect send-off" by winning the Premiership title.

"No one really spoke up after he told us, but I feel like we all congratulated him at the end and showed our love," Fernandez said.

"And I feel like it was a moment that we all knew now we've got to really kick on for the rest of the season and bring something back for him.

"I feel like this would be the perfect send-off for him if we could lift the title. I think it's something we want to fight for even more now."

The Nigeria international was playing League One football in England last season with Peterborough, and says Tavernier played a big part in making him feel welcome at Ibrox.

"When I first signed, it was a difficult moment for me," he added. "I didn't know what I was coming into. A club the size of Rangers - you never really understand.

"But I feel like his calm leadership kind of carries you through. He's not a loud leader, he's not very prominent in the way he goes about things.

"Even on the pitch, it makes you feel calm and makes you feel like you can just play your game.

"I feel like from when I first came in, if there was someone who had my back, it was Tav. I feel like he supported me in moments where I needed support, and even from when I began playing, he was someone pushing my corner for me to play."

The 24-year-old defender sees Tavernier as something of a role model.

"There are moments in your career where you may go through harder times - especially here, you can go through hard times - and I feel like someone like him is someone you can learn from," Fernandez said.

Fernandez is the only Rangers player to make it into the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year - something he is a little surprised by.

"It was a bit of a shock, you know, because I started playing a bit late," he said. "I think I started playing around November time. But to be named in it, I can't be more grateful to my team-mates, to the staff here, and also for the recognition from the other players in the league."