James Tavernier: Is Rangers captain nearing the end at Ibrox?

Positionally, Dujon Sterling is an obvious replacement at right-back. Experience-wise, goalkeeper Jack Butland is candidate for the captaincy.

But it is in the goals scored column that Rangers would most miss Tavernier.

As principle penalty taker and a free-kick specialist, he has regularly been in double figures of goals during his nine years at the club.

Other players can take penalties – current top scorer Cyriel Dessers scored one last season – but Rangers do not have an obvious free-kick taker.

His 133 goals are impressive for any defender. Of those, 110 have been while Rangers have been in the Premiership and he has averaged almost 20 a season in the past four campaigns.

Tavernier is also proficient when it comes to assists – contributing two in the league already this term and eight last year.

However, Sportsound pundit Rory Loy believes the relationship is nearing its end.

“I just don’t think it’s a healthy situation,” he former Ibrox youth said of the confrontation with a fan.

“It just feels like it’s come to a natural conclusion. If Rangers were to hold on to him, they’re risking that toxic energy persisting.

“I don’t think he’s been particularly consistent this season and that’s a worry. I don’t think his body language looks the same as it has done in previous years. He just strikes you as a different character.

“He’s not been contributing goals this season so far. He doesn’t look happy. Sometimes, you just need to accept that maybe it is time.

“In this day and age, he’s continuing to be linked away. For me, that’s coming from his camp, his agent, whoever it may be trying to drum up interest.

“Everything strikes to me that he would like to move on.”