James Tavernier hit 100 league goals for Rangers on Sunday, netting the opener from the penalty spot in the Gers 3-0 victory over Dundee which moved them ahead of Celtic into second, and within four points of league leaders Hearts, after the Jambos and Hoops played out a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle on the same day.
With 90 Scottish Premiership goals now accompanying Tavernier’s ten Scottish Championship goals from the 2015/16 season, he becomes the 18th player to net a century of goals for the Ibrox side.
He also becomes the fifth highest scoring defender of all time, behind greats such as Ronald Koeman and Laurent Blanc – a group he could hardly of imagined he’d be in the same category with when he hit his first goal at Easter Road in July 2015.
We chart the most vital goals the Rangers captain has scored across the years to reach this incredible milestone.
The First of Many – Alloa 1–5 Rangers (16 August 2015)
A statement of intent in the Championship season. Tavernier’s first league goal from right-back set the tone for a campaign where he would redefine attacking output from defence with both Tav and Lee Wallace chipping in regularly under Mark Warburton.
The Title-Winning Goal – Rangers 1–0 Dumbarton (5 April 2016)
A nervy night at Ibrox ended with Tavernier delivering the decisive blow that mathematically sealed promotion back to the top flight.
A trademark Tavernier goal, operating as a centre forward inside the six-yard area, he was on home to tap home a Jason Holt cross to crown Rangers champions.
Trophy Day Header – Rangers 1–1 Alloa Athletic (23 April 2016)
Not known for aerial dominance, his equalising header on the day the Scottish Championship trophy was lifted showed his knack for big-occasion contributions.
It would be his final goal of a debut league campaign that would see him become the first Rangers defender to hit double figures since
First Premiership Goal – Rangers 1–1 Kilmarnock (26 August 2016)
Marked his arrival as a top-flight goal scorer, underlining that his Championship numbers were no anomaly with a fantastic free kick at Rugby Park,
It would be his only league goal of the season, as Rangers struggled to make their mark in the top flight – but he would rebound quicky and rediscover his scoring form.
First Goal With the Captain’s Armband – St Johnstone 1–4 Rangers (27 February 2018)
An early captain’s contribution, combining leadership with output as his role in the side evolved – he would have a prolonged spell as stand-in captain under Graeme Murty after Lee Wallace picked up a knock, one that would end with Steven Gerrard making the appointment permanent in the summer.
First League Goal of the Gerrard Era – Aberdeen 1–1 Rangers (5 August 2018)
A symbolic moment at Pittodrie, setting the tone for a new regime built on resilience and belief with a well-taken spot kick.
His first goal as permanent captain and the first goal on the long road to 55.
First Old Firm Goal – Rangers 2–0 Celtic (12 May 2019)
A fantastic free kick cross-come-shot, in a derby win that signalled Rangers growing competitiveness in the fixture.
Tavernier scored within the opening five minutes as Rangers secured back-to-back home wins over their rivals.
Crucial Goal in Title Hunt – Kilmarnock 0–1 Rangers (1 November 2020)
A tight away fixture where his strike preserved momentum in the march toward the 55th title, Tavernier held his nerve and converted from the spot to move them nine points clear of Celtic.
Super Free-Kick – Dundee United 1–2 Rangers (13 December 2020)
Technique under pressure; a reminder that his set-piece ability was second-to-none in Scotland at his best.
Another vital goal on the march to the title – and perhaps his best in a Rangers shirt.
55-Winning Captain – Livingston 0–3 Rangers (12 May 2021)
Capping the invincible league season, Tavernier scored as captain as Rangers made it 37-games unbeaten on the penultimate day of the campaign. A win over Aberdeen on trophy day would see Tavernier become the first Rangers captain to lead the team to an unbeaten season since R.C Hamilton in 1899.
50th League Goal – Rangers 2–2 Aberdeen (27 October 2021)
A milestone that highlighted his sustained output across multiple seasons and helped Rangers recue a point from two-down after the passing of Walter Smith.
Old Firm Pressure Penalty – Rangers 2–2 Celtic (2 January 2023)
Nerve from the spot in a high-stakes derby encounter against Ange Postecoglou’s dominating Celtic side. Tavernier netted from the spot in Michael Beale’s first Old Firm derby as Rangers manager.
Parkhead Double – Celtic 3–2 Rangers (8 April 2023)
Two goals at Celtic Park from a Rangers defender is a rare territory and a personal achievement for the skipper on a day the title edged out of reach for the team.
A wonderful free kick and his 100th goal for the Gers in all competitions was not enough to secure a result in the East End – despite a late chance for a hat-trick.
Five in a Row – Aberdeen 1–1 Rangers (26 November 2023)
Tavernier netted for the fifth consecutive match for Rangers as the side dropped points at Pittodrie to end a sustained winning streak under new boss Phillipe Clement.
Would also net the winner in the Premier Sports Cup final against the Dons in December of that year to secure the full set of Scottish silverware.
First League Goal Under Danny Rohl – Aberdeen 0–2 Rangers (11 January 2026)
A marker of continuity, bridging managerial eras, the skipper netted at Pittodrie from the spot to make it five league wins on the bounce and helped Rangers to back-to-back wins over the Dons after their New Year’s Old Firm win at Parkhead.
A Century of Goals – Rangers 3–0 Dundee (25 January 2026)
A penalty, calmly dispatched, to reach a century. Fittingly it came from the spot, where so many decisive moments have come.