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James Tavernier

Updated: Wikipedia source

James Tavernier

James Henry Tavernier (; born 31 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back and is club captain for Scottish Premiership club Rangers. With 145 career goals, he is the highest scoring British defender in history. After starting at the Leeds United Academy, he began his professional career at Newcastle United, spending most of his tenure on loans at six lower level clubs, including winning the League One playoffs with Rotherham United. In 2014, he signed for Wigan Athletic, where by his own admission, he struggled. He spent the second half of his only Wigan season on loan at Bristol City, playing more consistently as they won League One. Tavernier signed for Rangers in 2015, winning two trophies in his first season. He scored the goal that won Rangers the Scottish Championship, and was man of the match as they won the Scottish Challenge Cup, scoring a long-range volley in the final. At the beginning of the 2018–19 season, he was named as the club captain, going on to win the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and the Scottish Cup the following season. He was the top scorer as they finished runners-up in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League. He has made more than 500 appearances for the club, scored over 100 goals, and was PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in 2021. He was inducted to Rangers Hall of Fame in 2023. In March 2024, Tavernier became the highest scoring defender in British professional football history.

Infobox

2011
→ Carlisle United (loan)
2012
→ Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
2013
→ Shrewsbury Town (loan)
2015
→ Bristol City (loan)
Full name
James Henry Tavernier
Date of birth
(1991-10-31) 31 October 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth
Bradford, England
Height
6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)
Position
Right-back
Current team
Rangers
Number
2
2001–2008
Leeds United
2008–2009
Newcastle United
Years
Team
2009–2014
Newcastle United
2011–2012
→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
2013–2014
→ Rotherham United (loan)
2014–2015
Wigan Athletic
2015–
Rangers

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition · Career statistics
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
National cup
Apps
National cup
Goals
League cup
Apps
League cup
Goals
Europe
Apps
Europe
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
Newcastle United
Newcastle United
Club
Newcastle United
Season
2009–10
League
Championship
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
1
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
Other
1
Other
0
2010–11
2010–11
Club
2010–11
Season
Premier League
League
0
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
1
League cup
0
League cup
Europe
Europe
1
Other
0
2011–12
2011–12
Club
2011–12
Season
Premier League
League
0
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
Europe
Europe
0
Other
0
2012–13
2012–13
Club
2012–13
Season
Premier League
League
2
League
0
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
1
League cup
0
League cup
4
Europe
0
Europe
Other
8
Other
0
2013–14
2013–14
Club
2013–14
Season
Premier League
League
0
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
Europe
Europe
0
Other
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
2
League
0
League
1
League
0
National cup
3
National cup
0
League cup
4
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
10
Other
0
Gateshead (loan)
Gateshead (loan)
Club
Gateshead (loan)
Season
2010–11
League
Conference Premier
League
13
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
League cup
Europe
5
Europe
0
Other
18
Other
0
Carlisle United (loan)
Carlisle United (loan)
Club
Carlisle United (loan)
Season
2011–12
League
League One
League
16
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
1
Other
0
Other
17
Total
0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Club
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Season
2011–12
League
League One
League
6
League
0
National cup
2
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
0
Other
0
Other
8
Total
0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Club
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Season
2011–12
League
League One
League
7
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
0
Other
0
Other
7
Total
0
Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Club
Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Season
2013–14
League
League One
League
1
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
1
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
0
Other
0
Other
2
Total
0
Rotherham United (loan)
Rotherham United (loan)
Club
Rotherham United (loan)
Season
2013–14
League
League One
League
27
League
5
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
4
Other
0
Other
31
Total
5
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic
Club
Wigan Athletic
Season
2014–15
League
Championship
League
11
League
0
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
1
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
Other
13
Other
0
Bristol City (loan)
Bristol City (loan)
Club
Bristol City (loan)
Season
2014–15
League
League One
League
12
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
Europe
1
Other
0
Other
13
Total
3
Rangers
Rangers
Club
Rangers
Season
2015–16
League
Scottish Championship
League
36
League
10
National cup
6
National cup
0
League cup
3
League cup
3
Europe
Europe
5
Other
2
Other
50
Total
15
2016–17
2016–17
Club
2016–17
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
36
League
1
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
5
League cup
1
League cup
Europe
Europe
44
Other
2
2017–18
2017–18
Club
2017–18
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
38
League
8
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
3
League cup
1
League cup
2
Europe
0
Europe
Other
46
Other
9
2018–19
2018–19
Club
2018–19
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
37
League
14
League
4
National cup
0
National cup
2
League cup
0
League cup
14
Europe
3
Europe
Other
57
Other
17
2019–20
2019–20
Club
2019–20
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
24
League
3
League
2
National cup
0
National cup
3
League cup
0
League cup
17
Europe
0
Europe
Other
46
Other
3
2020–21
2020–21
Club
2020–21
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
33
League
12
League
1
National cup
1
National cup
2
League cup
1
League cup
10
Europe
5
Europe
Other
46
Other
19
2021–22
2021–22
Club
2021–22
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
35
League
9
League
4
National cup
2
National cup
2
League cup
0
League cup
17
Europe
7
Europe
Other
58
Other
18
2022–23
2022–23
Club
2022–23
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
38
League
16
League
4
National cup
0
National cup
3
League cup
0
League cup
10
Europe
2
Europe
Other
55
Other
18
2023–24
2023–24
Club
2023–24
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
38
League
17
League
5
National cup
1
National cup
3
League cup
3
League cup
12
Europe
3
Europe
Other
58
Other
24
2024–25
2024–25
Club
2024–25
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
33
League
4
League
2
National cup
0
National cup
4
League cup
1
League cup
14
Europe
0
Europe
Other
53
Other
5
2025–26
2025–26
Club
2025–26
Season
Scottish Premiership
League
15
League
4
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
3
League cup
2
League cup
11
Europe
1
Europe
Other
29
Other
7
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
363
League
98
League
34
League
4
National cup
33
National cup
12
League cup
107
League cup
21
Europe
5
Europe
2
Other
542
Other
137
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
458
League
106
League
42
League
4
National cup
38
National cup
12
League cup
111
League cup
21
Europe
16
Europe
2
Other
665
Other
145
Club
Season
League
National cup
League cup
Europe
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Newcastle United
2009–10
Championship
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2010–11
Premier League
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2011–12
Premier League
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2012–13
Premier League
2
0
1
0
1
0
4
0
8
0
2013–14
Premier League
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
2
0
1
0
3
0
4
0
10
0
Gateshead (loan)
2010–11
Conference Premier
13
0
0
0
5
0
18
0
Carlisle United (loan)
2011–12
League One
16
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
17
0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
2011–12
League One
6
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
2011–12
League One
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
Shrewsbury Town (loan)
2013–14
League One
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
Rotherham United (loan)
2013–14
League One
27
5
0
0
0
0
4
0
31
5
Wigan Athletic
2014–15
Championship
11
0
1
0
1
0
13
0
Bristol City (loan)
2014–15
League One
12
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
13
3
Rangers
2015–16
Scottish Championship
36
10
6
0
3
3
5
2
50
15
2016–17
Scottish Premiership
36
1
3
0
5
1
44
2
2017–18
Scottish Premiership
38
8
3
0
3
1
2
0
46
9
2018–19
Scottish Premiership
37
14
4
0
2
0
14
3
57
17
2019–20
Scottish Premiership
24
3
2
0
3
0
17
0
46
3
2020–21
Scottish Premiership
33
12
1
1
2
1
10
5
46
19
2021–22
Scottish Premiership
35
9
4
2
2
0
17
7
58
18
2022–23
Scottish Premiership
38
16
4
0
3
0
10
2
55
18
2023–24
Scottish Premiership
38
17
5
1
3
3
12
3
58
24
2024–25
Scottish Premiership
33
4
2
0
4
1
14
0
53
5
2025–26
Scottish Premiership
15
4
0
0
3
2
11
1
29
7
Total
363
98
34
4
33
12
107
21
5
2
542
137
Career total
458
106
42
4
38
12
111
21
16
2
665
145

References

  1. Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearances in FA Trophy
  5. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  6. One appearance in Football League Trophy, three appearances in League One play-offs
  7. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  8. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, fourteen appearances and seven goals in UEFA Europa League
  9. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  10. Four appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, Eight appearances in UEFA Europa League
  11. Two appearances in UEFA Champions league, twelve appearances in UEFA Europa League
  12. Six appearances in UEFA Champions league, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  13. "Club list of registered players: As at 16th May 2015: Wigan Athletic"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053003/http://www.football-league.co.uk/documents/pages-from-fl-professional-retain-list-free-transfers-2014-15-2.pdf-...549-2491536.pdf
  14. Barry Hugman's Footballers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000000/http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/25494
  15. "James Tavernier"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160915160023/http://rangers.co.uk/teams/first-team/james-tavernier/
  16. "People still debating pronunciation of James Tavernier's surname didn't watch our pre-match today. He confirmed 100% 'Tav-er-near.' :-)"
    https://x.com/RaeComm/status/638030667775873025
  17. Daily Record
    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/were-damaged-goods-signed-rangers-6696154
  18. "When I first started at playing at Farsley Celtic Boys Club I actually spent a season in goal then moved in to central midfield. When Leeds came in for me, that's where I was playing"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180924224825/https://www.nufc.co.uk/page/news/features/0,,10278~2538813,00.html
  19. "Peterborough 2–0 Newcastle"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8256884.stm
  20. "Gateshead sign Newcastle's Tavernier and Edmundsson"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gateshead/9348378.stm
  21. "Gateshead 2–2 Kidderminster Harriers"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120917002625/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/3160/gateshead-2-2-kidderminster-harriers
  22. Evening Chronicle
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110217013522/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/non-league-football/2011/02/08/tavernier-loan-to-gateshead-is-extended-72703-28133440/
  23. "Gateshead boss believes in Tavernier"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110810154630/http://19foster92.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/gateshead-boss-believes-in-tavernier/
  24. Evening Chronicle
    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/03/24/newcastle-recall-young-star-james-tavernier-72703-28395165/
  25. "Newcastle 4–1 Wolves"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9439619.stm
  26. "Carlisle sign Newcastle full-back James Tavernier"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14491052
  27. "Carlisle United extend loan spell of James Tavernier"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14950163
  28. "James Tavernier impresses Carlisle boss Greg Abbott"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14610206
  29. "Loan Watch: Tav signs off, Soderberg signs on"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111107164549/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20111105/loan-watch-tav-signs-off-soderberg-signs-on_2281670_2507118
  30. "Sheffield Wednesday sign Newcastle defender on loan"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15826455
  31. "Newcastle United's James Tavernier loaned to MK Dons"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16823510
  32. Evening Chronicle
    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-tavernier-recalled-loan-mk-1362654
  33. "Reading 2–2 Newcastle"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19684438
  34. "James Tavernier: Newcastle loan defender to Shrewsbury"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20121707
  35. "James Tavernier: Shrewsbury aim to replace injured loan defender"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23770829
  36. "Rotherham sign Newcastle's James Tavernier and Haris Vuckic"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25137495
  37. "Rotherham United 4–1 Gillingham"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25063371
  38. Rotherham Advertiser
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160422061303/http://rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/96096/tavernier-fires-millers-to-victory.aspx
  39. "Leyton Orient 2–2 Rotherham United"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27459498
  40. "Wigan Athletic sign James Tavernier and Oriol Riera"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28072748
  41. "Wigan Athletic 2–2 Reading"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28646579
  42. "George Saville and James Tavernier join Bristol City on loan"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30832833
  43. "Bradford City 0–6 Bristol City"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32199775
  44. "Bristol City 2–0 Walsall"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31893144
  45. "Rangers sign James Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn from Wigan"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33598096
  46. "Hibernian 2–6 Rangers"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33578658
  47. "Rangers 3–0 Peterhead"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33667209
  48. "Alloa Athletic 1–5 Rangers"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33839801
  49. "Rangers: Monthly prizes for Mark Warburton & James Tavernier"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34256050
  50. Daily Mirror
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/rangers-1-0-dumbarton-james-7696966
  51. "Rangers fans react on Twitter to James Tavernier's goal and performance v Peterhead"
    http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/04/11/rangers-fans-react-on-twitter-to-james-taverniers-goal-and-perfo/
  52. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/apr/17/rangers-v-celtic-scottish-cup-semi-final-live
  53. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/08/martyn-waghorn-james-tavernier-reject-rangers-contract-offer?
  54. Daily Record
    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-defender-james-tavernier-signs-8448272
  55. "Rangers full-back extends contract until 2019"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36861824
  56. "Tavernier Is My Leader"
    https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/tavernier-is-my-leader/
  57. "Lee Wallace backs new skipper James Tavernier"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44795834
  58. "Rangers 2–0 FK Shkupi"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44770085
  59. Daily Record
    https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-old-failings-were-still-12910316
  60. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/11659396/steven-gerrard-rages-at-wasteful-rangers-after-hibernian-hit-back-to-snatch-point
  61. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11781/11659174/fan-arrested-after-confronting-rangers-james-tavernier-at-hibernian
  62. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11781/11662554/fan-who-confronted-rangers-james-tavernier-banned-from-all-scottish-football-grounds
  63. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50202734
  64. t Rangers 3-2 Standard Liege: Steven Gerrard's side fight back twice to claim last-32 place, Nick McPheat, BBC Sport, 3
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55114870
  65. James Tavernier - Rangers' captain fantastic leading the way, Scott Mullen, BBC Sport, 8 December 2020
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55209149
  66. "NOVEMBER DOUBLE FOR RANGERS"
    https://spfl.co.uk/news/november-double-for-rangers
  67. "Tavernier signs Rangers contract extension"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/12267648/james-tavernier-rangers-captain-signs-contract-extension-as-club-plans-for-the-future
  68. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56227416
  69. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57138081
  70. The Scotsman
    https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/300-not-out-james-tavernier-embodies-rangers-rise-to-where-they-are-now-3397055
  71. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/feb/24/rangers-borussia-dortmund-europa-league-play-off-second-leg-match-report
  72. "Rangers 3-1 Braga (agg 3-2): James Tavernier's double and Kemar Roofe's extra-time strike seal win and semis spot as visitors finish with nine men"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12588400/rangers-3-1-braga-agg-3-2-james-taverniers-double-and-kemar-roofes-extra-time-strike-seal-win-and-semis-spot
  73. Evening Chronicle
    https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-newcastle-united-youngster-james-24008639
  74. "Rangers 2–0 Heart of Midlothian"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048
  75. Rangers win Viaplay Cup: James Tavernier drags side to win against Aberdeen, Tom English, BBC Sport, 17 December 2023
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67744640
  76. Player Records (Filtered) | Most Goals [Filter: Vs Aberdeen FitbaStats (Rangers). Retrieved 19 December 2023
    https://www.fitbastats.com/rangers/player_records_overall.php?opposition=1&from=132&to=153&competition=0&venue=0&usefilter=0&usefilter=on&update=Update
  77. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68644009
  78. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9813x1l04no
  79. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cewkxvlj1xpt
  80. Gazette Live
    http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-defender-james-taverniers-words-13708264
  81. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=52377
  82. Soccerway
    https://uk.soccerway.com/players/james-tavernier/97294/
  83. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016
  84. "Bristol City 2–0 Walsall"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31893144
  85. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235
  86. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048
  87. www.scottishfa.co.uk
    https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup-matches/?mid=167317
  88. the Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2024/may/25/celtic-v-rangers-2024-scottish-cup-final-live
  89. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67684521
  90. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50672183
  91. the Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2023/feb/26/rangers-v-celtic-scottish-league-cup-final-live-score-updates
  92. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/celtic-rangers-live-stream-score-result-b2664425.html
  93. "Rangers 1–0 Dumbarton"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35912680
  94. "Rangers 4–0 Peterhead"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35953055
  95. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61446268
  96. "Only two Celtic players in Scottish Premiership team of season"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36170166
  97. "Monthly prizes for Mark Warburton & James Tavernier"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34256050
  98. "LENNON VOTED MANAGER OF THE MONTH"
    https://spfl.co.uk/news/lennon-voted-manager-of-the-month-47026
  99. "Tav Scoops SPFL Award"
    http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/tav-scoops-spfl-award/?
  100. "James Forrest, Steve Clarke & Ryan Kent win PFA Scotland annual awards"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48171966
  101. Daily Record
    https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-dominate-pfa-premiership-team-24125898
  102. "Celtic dominate PFA Team of the Year as just two Rangers and Hearts players make the cut"
    https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-dominate-pfa-team-of-the-year-as-just-two-rangers-and-hearts-players-make-the-cut-3669231
  103. "Celtic stars dominate as PFA Scotland announce 2022/23 Team of the Year - with two Rangers players included"
    https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/celtic-stars-dominate-as-pfa-scotland-announce-202223-team-of-the-year-with-two-rangers-players-included-4135473
  104. UEFA
    https://www.uefa.com/news/026d-134289aaee63-c54e6598a07b-1000--tavernier-finishes-top-scorer/
  105. UEFA
    https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0275-15302e8596b2-af02e3bfb7db-1000--2021-22-uefa-europa-league-team-of-the-season/
  106. www.rangers.co.uk
    https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/mcgregor-davis-and-tavernier-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/58RgQ2sNjZAKMivAHKcZ69
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