Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is in no mood to sell captain James Tavernier

Steven Gerrard admits his phone is ringing off the hook with enquiries about James Tavernier.

But the Rangers boss is determined to keep his captain at Ibrox.

Gers skipper Tavernier was directly involved in more league goals than any other Premiership player this season, with 14 goals and 14 assists to his name.

Unsusprisingly, his statistics have attracted admiring glances from England, with Aston Villa and West Brom both linked with summer swoops.

His gaffer knows he has the ability to reach the top of the English game.

But Gerrard insists hanging on to Tavernier is one of his top priorities.

“Tav could potentially get to the level of the top full-backs in England,” said the Rangers chief.

“If you analyse it, he’s got the body to do it, he’s robust enough to do it and he’s got the technical ability to do it.

“His quality from that side, in terms of crossing and assists, it doesn’t matter what league you play in – if you’re putting that in, people will finish it off.

“He’s improved defensively . . . but can still get better.

“It’s no surprise that he’s been on the agenda for most of this season. Whenever a transfer window opens, there’s interest in Tav.

“He’s been so consistent and, for me as a manager, he’s been there for every game and every training session.

“It’s been me who’s pulled him away from it at times. If I didn’t, he’d have played in every game.

“So he’s got the body and capacity for any league out
there.

“In saying all of that, I want him in this league, and in my team.”

Gerrard has no desire to present Rangers as a “selling club”.

On the contrary, he believes the Ibrox outfit should be more than capable of hanging on to their prize assets.

But the financial climate of the modern game cannot be ignored, and Gerrard concedes that money may talk when it comes to Tavernier, just as with any other player.

He said: “There have been calls about Tav, with clubs interested. I’m sure there still are.

“We’ve got a fantastic captain-manager relationship. We know his agent very well and, as with any player, I’m open to these chats at any time.

“The reality is – and I probably shouldn’t be saying this – but every player has his price.

“Every manager up and down the UK has the same issues.

“But I can’t be any more clear – I want my best players to stay at Rangers. Tav certainly comes into that bracket.”

Gerrard wasted no time in appointing Tavernier as club captain after his arrival as gaffer last summer.

His decision has more than paid off, with the 27-year-old commanding the respect of players and fans alike over the course of a hugely-impressive campaign.

For Gerrard, that stands as vindication of his judgment.

But he also admits he has a changing room which is not short of leaders.

“When I looked at appointing a captain, I did a lot of due diligence and asked a lot of questions about the dressing room,” continued Gerrard.

“Looking from afar, Tav was always the most-consistent Rangers player that I’d seen.

“Then after chatting to him and knowing he wanted to stay, that was a big help.

“I didn’t want to bring a new player in as captain.

“I did a lot of homework on it, but it could have been any one of a few because we have good leaders in here.”