James Tavernier may have etched his name alongside Rangers legend Ally McCoist in the club’s European record books, but the captain insisted personal milestones meant little in the wake of Rangers frustrating 1–1 draw with Braga at Ibrox.
Tavernier’s penalty was his 21st goal in European competition for Rangers and it brought him level with McCoist’s long-standing tally as Rangers joint second all-time top European goalscorer.
For a full-back to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the club’s greatest-ever striker speaks volumes about Tavernier’s remarkable longevity, consistency, and knack for delivering in continental competition.
Only Alfredo Morelos has more European goals with the Colombian sitting on top with 29 goals.
But as he walked off the pitch, the historic significance of the moment was far from his mind.
The Rangers captain admitted that drawing level with McCoist was something he might only appreciate “when everything settles down,” stressing that all he cared about in the moment was the victory that slipped through Rangers grasp.
With Braga reduced to ten men and Rangers pushing forward late on, the expectation inside Ibrox was for a decisive goal, yet chances went untaken and composure deserted the home side when it mattered most.
For Tavernier, the personal accolade was overshadowed by the sense of a missed opportunity.
McCoist’s European scoring record stood for decades until it was broken by Morelos in 2020, forged in an era when Rangers were perennial continental competitors under Graeme Souness and Walter Smith.
That Tavernier, a right-back, has matched it is emblematic not only of his attacking influence but also of the shifting demands of the modern game.
His set-piece prowess, timing in the box, and relentless involvement in forward play have allowed him to redefine what a Rangers full-back can be.
Yet despite moving level with a club icon, Tavernier’s focus remained squarely on the team’s shortcomings.
He pointed to a slow opening spell, wavering decision-making, and a lack of patience in the final third as key reasons why Rangers failed to make their numerical advantage count.
The captain’s frustration was clear, but so too was his message: belief cannot fade. He reminded supporters and teammates that qualification remains mathematically possible and urged the squad to show greater ruthlessness in both boxes if they are to keep their European campaign alive despite only a single point from their opening five matchdays.
In many ways, the contrast was fitting. McCoist’s era was defined by clinical finishing and big-moment conviction.
Tavernier, now tied with him in the record books, knows that for Rangers to move forward, the current side must rediscover exactly those traits.