Kris Boyd makes Rangers transfer plea as trio singled out to lead Russell Martin's Ibrox revival

Daily Record

2 days ago

Skipper James Tavernier is into the final 12 months of his contract at Ibrox
Kris Boyd insists that James Tavernier still has a big part to play at Rangers going forward - and is desperate to see his old team hold onto Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande this summer.
Despite coming under-fire for a number of his performances last season - where he was left out of the starting XI by Philippe Clement - Record Sport revealed last week that Tavernier, 33, is expected to retain the captaincy at Ibrox under new boss Russell Martin.
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The former Newcastle ace is gearing up for his 11th season with the Gers but has just 12 months remaining on his current deal.
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But Boyd is hopeful that the Englishman can recapture some of his previous form from years gone by if new owners 49ers Enterprises can splash some cash to improve the squad.
We also told you that talks are ongoing over deals to bring Leicester City defender Conor Coady and Maccabi Tel Aviv frontman Dor Turgeman to Ibrox.
Martin will also be keen to retain the services of his top men this summer and that means fending off interest in midfield duo Raskin and Diomande - with the latter said to be on David Moyes' transfer radar at Everton.
Boyd said: "You look at players who you think are 'done', and it might be because of the last manager's style, or they might come out of their shell, different managers getting better out of them.
"To get to Rangers, you're not a bad player. There are just circumstances that don't allow you to flourish when you get there. Injuries, confidence, and dealing with the demands of needing to win every week - these things can play a huge part.
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"Rangers did find performances, even from the team you thought weren't at a level you'd expect from a Rangers team. In one-off games, you can do that, but Rangers need it on a consistent basis.
"Getting players in to strengthen that squad, to push the starting 11, some of them to become subs, or maybe improve them. Sometimes when you play with better players, you become better.
"There are still players there now who will go on to have big Rangers careers.
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"[Nicolas] Raskin and Dio [Mohamed Diomande] have done well enough, if you were to add better players to that, I'm sure they can go onto better things.
"James Tavernier will be one who will be begging that he gets better players around him. Look at the season he had when Rangers won the league - he was exceptional.
'His numbers were off the charts, with goals and assists. But because he hasn't lifted silverware as a Rangers captain over a consistent period of time, there's criticism.
"Get better players around him, like Steven Gerrard was able to do, and you can see the best of him."
: Kris Boyd was celebrating the latest free wave of McDonald's Fun Football sessions this Summer, available to all children aged 5-11 across the UK. You can sign up now for your nearest free session at mcdonalds.co.uk/football