As the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season approaches its conclusion, Rangers Football Club finds itself in a compelling position. The Ibrox club remains one of the most prominent names in Scottish football. Under the guidance of German head coach Danny Rohl, they have rediscovered their competitive edge after a tumultuous start to the season.
Since Rohl took over from Russell Martin, the Light Blues have enjoyed a resurgence in form. They currently occupy second place in the league, trailing leaders Hearts by just one point with six matches remaining. While the title race is extremely tight, the club is also navigating one of its most significant squad overhauls in years.
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Rising Star Stephenson and Tavernier’s Future Uncertain
According to Give Me Sport, Rangers are eyeing Liverpool’s young talent, Luca Stephenson, for a summer transfer, potentially to succeed James Tavernier at right-back. The report identifies Stephenson as the primary target as the Ibrox management plans for a future without their long-time captain. The 22-year-old has excelled during his two loan seasons at Dundee United, contributing 10 goals and demonstrating versatility in various positions.
Meanwhile, Tavernier’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, and there’s a growing belief that the 34-year-old, who scored his 144th goal for the club against Aberdeen last month, may soon depart. His impact on the field has noticeably diminished.
Recently, Tavernier lost his starting right-back position to Dujon Sterling, with many of his minutes coming as a right-sided center-back in a back three. His attacking contributions are not as prolific as they once were. Meanwhile, Liverpool is reportedly amenable to allowing Stephenson to move on if the price is right, even though the player is well-regarded at the Premier League club.
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Can Stephenson Step Up for Rangers?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Luca Stephenson of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield on August 04, 2025. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
This prospective transfer looks promising on paper, but Scottish football has often highlighted the difficulty of transforming potential into consistent success. Stephenson’s statistics from his time at Dundee United are encouraging, with his 10 goal contributions surpassing those of many other loan players in the Premiership. However, transitioning from Tannadice to Ibrox comes with a significantly greater level of expectation and pressure.
Interestingly, Stephenson has outperformed Tavernier in terms of non-penalty goals and assists in the league this season. Given that the Rangers captain has lost possession over 200 more times than the young player, it suggests that Stephenson could be a more effective fit within Rohl’s system.
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This statistic underscores that the move is driven by performance rather than solely by the need to offload aging players. With Dujon Sterling having missed 36 matches due to injury since the start of last season, primarily due to a recurring Achilles issue, acquiring a reliable, league-tested player like Stephenson is not just a good idea; it’s essential. Rohl appears to be a manager who values hard data over sentiment, so it’s likely he will push to finalize this deal before the transfer window closes.