Tavernier's experience will be 'sadly missed' - Thomson

[SNS]

Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson was "shocked" that James Tavernier announced he would be leaving the club.

Thomson would have liked to see the captain's experience stay in the building and believes he still has plenty to offer despite appearing more as a substitute this season.

"I was actually a bit shocked when I first saw it. My phone went, I saw it on social media, a lot of comments, a lot of people posting it," Thomson told BBC Scotland.

"I still think there's a place at the club for him and I still think he can bring a lot to the party with the experience he's got.

"You can't keep everybody I suppose and one door kind of closes and another one opens for the next person to get an opportunity.

"If I had the power within the club to keep someone like Tavernier, I think you need as many good types as you can get."

Despite only winning three major trophies with the club, Thomson insists Tavernier should not be judged solely on that return and feels he will leave a hole in Rangers' squad.

"I think the general consensus within the fan base is just how brilliant a captain and how brilliant a leader he's been," Thomson said.

"I know when you start to divulge the trophies and all these types of things, I get that that's an easy narrative to throw at him, but a captain doesn't make a winning title team, it's about the team, it's about the manager, it's also about your rivals at the time.

"There's more to it than just saying that I've won X amount of trophies, but his goals, the respect that he's got within the building is massive.

"That's why I would lean towards keeping that type around the building, but at the same time, there might be a new era for the club looking forward.

"So, a wonderful player, a brilliant captain, had a brilliant relationship with the Rangers fans over the years and he will be sadly missed."