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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Giovanni van Bronckhorst targets move for Rangers captain James Tavernier

Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to reunite with Rangers captain James Tavernier in Turkey.

The Dutchman, 49, last week became the new manager of Turkish giants Besiktas.

The experienced coach, who was sacked by the Ibrox club in November 2022, joined on a two-year deal, with the option to extend his contract until the summer of 2027.

Besiktas finished sixth in the Super Lig last season, and they last won the top-flight title in Turkey in 2021.

Now, the former Scottish Premiership boss is looking to sink his teeth into his latest management role, and that starts with recruiting new players ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

And it seems reports in Turkey are linking Van Bornckhorst with a move for his trusted skipper at Ibrox, Tavernier.

Media personality Bulent Uslu claims a GvB has asked club chiefs to organise with Tavernier, while he also wants to sign Ajax player Steven Berghuis."

His post on X translates to: "Giovanni van Bronckhorst requested the Beşiktaş management to transfer right-backs James Tavernier and Steven Berghuis, who play for Rangers."

It's not the only former manager of Tavernier who has been linked with a swoop for the 32-year-old this summer. 

Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq in Saudi are believed to be monitoring his situation, along with fellow defender Connor Goldson.

Philippe Clement wants both players to remain as part of his plans for next season, though, so doesn't want to lose either in the summer window.

“Yes, I expect them to be here next season, that is my expectation,” said Clement. “My players come to speak with me if they have doubts or if they want to go or if they are out of contract. We have that relationship.

“If I need to speak to every player where there is a rumour about, then we won’t train too much.”

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