Rangers squad driven to give Tavernier 'perfect send-off'

[SNS]Emmanuel Fernandez says he felt "shellshocked" when captain James Tavernier told the team he was leaving at the end of the season.

>The central defender, who is in his first campaign with the Ibrox club, says he and his team-mates want to give Tavernier the "perfect send-off" by winning the Premiership title.

>"No one really spoke up after he told us, but I feel like we all congratulated him at the end and showed our love," Fernandez said.

>"And I feel like it was a moment that we all knew now we've got to really kick on for the rest of the season and bring something back for him.

>"I feel like this would be the perfect send-off for him if we could lift the title. I think it's something we want to fight for even more now."

>The Nigeria international was playing League One football in England last season with Peterborough, and says Tavernier played a big part in making him feel welcome at Ibrox.

>"When I first signed, it was a difficult moment for me," he added. "I didn't know what I was coming into. A club the size of Rangers - you never really understand.

>"But I feel like his calm leadership kind of carries you through. He's not a loud leader, he's not very prominent in the way he goes about things.

>"Even on the pitch, it makes you feel calm and makes you feel like you can just play your game.

>"I feel like from when I first came in, if there was someone who had my back, it was Tav. I feel like he supported me in moments where I needed support, and even from when I began playing, he was someone pushing my corner for me to play."

>The 24-year-old defender sees Tavernier as something of a role model.

>"There are moments in your career where you may go through harder times - especially here, you can go through hard times - and I feel like someone like him is someone you can learn from," Fernandez said.

>Fernandez is the only Rangers player to make it into the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year - something he is a little surprised by.

>"It was a bit of a shock, you know, because I started playing a bit late," he said. "I think I started playing around November time. But to be named in it, I can't be more grateful to my team-mates, to the staff here, and also for the recognition from the other players in the league."

>As well as earning him a spot in that PFA Scotland XI, his performances in the Premiership earned him a call-up to the Nigeria national team.

>He scored on his debut last month against Iran in a friendly and made his first start against Jordan.

>He has also apparently been attracting the attention of other clubs, according to reports, and has been linked with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United.

>Fernandez says that's news to him.

>"I haven't heard anything," he insisted. "I've still got four years left on my contract. I see myself being here. I'm happy I'm here. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to carry on being here."