After securing a potentially game-changing victory over St Johnstone on Sunday, Glasgow Rangers moved to the top of the Premiership table. After just seven games, the Light Blues were behind by eight points; to put it mildly, the turnaround under Philippe Clement has been astounding. Because of this, the Light Blues have a great chance to win their 56th league championship—and, considering the circumstances, it might be the most remarkable one yet.
The great majority of Clement’s team has shown that they can operate well together and rise to the occasion; Todd Cantwell has been especially noteworthy lately. The market worth of the former Norwich City sensation has increased as a result of these performances, and if he keeps playing at his current level, it may increase much further before the season ends.
Rangers’ market assessment of Todd Cantwell
Although the Englishman has been with the team for more than a year, his recent purple patch may be his best since joining.
He did, of course, score six goals and dish out five assists in the second half of the previous campaign, but the pressure was off because the Gers were never really in the running for the championship.
Cantwell had a difficult start to the current campaign, missing five games because of a knee injury he sustained when playing against Celtic in the opening Old Firm encounter of the year. He also had to wait until November to score his first goal. Following his goal on matchday four of the Europa League group stages against Sparta Prague, the 25-year-old has added five more goals and two assists in the Premiership.
He has frequently been used by Clement as a number 10, playing directly behind the striker. Against Ross County last week, he put up one of his greatest performances of the year.
The offensive midfielder was a threat to the County defence even if he did not contribute with a goal. He completed four crucial passes, struck the woodwork, successfully completed two of his four dribbles, and was fouled five times.
Cantwell’s market value has increased somewhat as a result of his recent league performances; according to Football Transfers, his current valuation is €4 million (£3.4 million), and it is certain that this will climb progressively over the course of the season. Even while the previous star of the Premier League has been outstanding, James Tavernier, a different Rangers player, has really embraced the strain of the title battle in recent weeks and helped the team to some fantastic victories.
What the Rangers paid for James Tavernier
After leading the Gers to a League Cup victory over Aberdeen in December, the captain finally completed his collection of domestic trophies. This victory made up for the two previous finals he had participated in, which he had lost to Celtic.
Given what he has accomplished over the preceding nine years, the right-back’s summer 2015 move to the Light Blues from Wigan for a meagre £200k must rank among the best in the club’s history. The trade was made while the team was still moving up through the lower levels.
Since joining the Gers, Tavernier’s market value has increased due to the possibility of winning a second league title, guaranteeing that he is now worth more than Cantwell.
The Rangers’ market worth of James Tavernier
Football Transfers estimates that Tavernier’s peak market value was €8.4 million (£7.1 million) during the 2020–21 season, when the Gers dominated the top flight and the defender contributed 35 goals (sixteen assists and nine goals) across all competitions in a season that broke all previous records.
He may not be as valuable as he was that season, but even so, his current valuation of €6.5m (£5.5m) is respectable for a player who will turn 33 in October. His achievements this season have demonstrated why he is so highly regarded and have given the Light Blues an amazing opportunity to win a domestic treble.
Why James Tavernier is so highly esteemed
The £30,000-per-week captain has already racked up 10 assists and 19 goals this season—and February isn’t even halfway through—demonstrating how important he has been to the team. His most recent two-goal burst against St Johnstone gave the Light Blues a 3-0 victory that moved them above Celtic in the league standings.
The skipper led from the front throughout the game, demonstrating that the Gers are more than capable of taking on the challenge of regaining their domination of Scottish football despite the intense pressure.
Tavernier leads his colleagues not only in goals and assists in the top flight (20), but also in major chances created (13), vital passes made per game (3.1), and overall Sofascore rating (8.14/10), all of which demonstrate how important he is to the squad. Over the years, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has showered Tavernier with accolades; however, 2022 was possibly the greatest. Boyd gushed on the captain, saying, “Since signing in 2015, Tav has been a key figure in Rangers’ recent journey.”
“People will legitimately bring up title No. 55 and his involvement in that. They’ll also examine how he contributed to Gers’ run to the Europa League final the previous year. However, he has accomplished far more than that.
He is now a proud representative of the team. He is a role model for others to follow as captain. His goals and assists totals are unquestionably impressive. However, what has been so amazing about him is the manner he has conducted himself. Even though the former Newcastle United star has led the Ibrox team to a Europa League final and won everything that can be won in Scotland, may winning the Premiership this season be his greatest accomplishment?
It would undoubtedly rate highly considering the team’s performance in September, and his performances have increased his value while still surpassing that of aggressive players like Cantwell, proving the Gers were right to sign him for £200k.
