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ECSTATIC Rangers captain James Tavernier senses this season has the makings of a truly special one.
And he revealed Philippe Clement’s side are now dreaming of winning EVERYTHING.
James Tavernier scored the winner for Rangers at Hampden[/caption]
The captain is targeting more silverware this season[/caption]
Viaplay Cup winners, through to the last 16 of the Europa League, starting to breathe down the necks of faltering champions Celtic, and with the Scottish Cup to come next month.
It’s easy to understand the growing confidence of Tavernier and the Gers players, who have responded remarkably well to new boss Clement over a transformational two months.
Belief shredded and rudderless under the sacked Michael Beale, the Light Blues are now brimming with confidence and real conviction.
They are building powerful momentum under Clement, who has gone 14 matches unbeaten on the home and Euro fronts since his appointment on October 15.
Matchwinner Tavernier is proud he’s now got the full set of major medals — but is hungry for more.
The Ibrox Hall of Famer said: “Hopefully this is just the start of something really special for this team.
“We’ve been working hard for the gaffer and this is an important first step to get a trophy. Now we need to keep pushing. We have a lot of games, so we need to build on this momentum moving forward.
“We have our hands on the first trophy and we are looking to get more.
“If you are four-years-old, ten-years-old, or if you are a fully grown man or woman, you dream about things in football.
“The fans will be dreaming that we can win everything really.
“Us as a team? We have got to put ourselves in a good position to be able to do that.
“We have done that today with the first trophy, so we have to continue to build on this.
“But the sky is the limit with this team. We continue to work hard and the gaffer is really pushing us.
“It’s obviously a proud moment for myself and my family, but it’s down to the team. I thought everyone really played well.
“Rangers gave me the platform from day one eight years ago.
“They gave me the opportunity to play the game I love and I will always repay them, no matter what.
“It is really enjoyable now to see the team galvanised and together.
“That is what the manager is bringing to the table, he’s pushing us and we are all pushing each other onwards.
“It’s set out for something really special for us.”
Tavernier praised Clement for the stunning rejuvenation he has masterminded at Ibrox in such a short period of time — just 64 days.
The skipper believes their new manager is the difference at Ibrox[/caption]
The skipper added: “The gaffer has come in and raised the bar, raised the standard.
“He’s given us a lot of clarity as a team about what he wants us to do, and everyone has really got on board with it.
“He’s always calm and collected in his demands of us.
“We just move forward. I am just really enjoying playing under him, I think we all are.
“I really believe in this squad, and the talent that we have in the team.
“We’re all pushing each other every single day and standards are going higher and higher.”
Tavernier also provided insight into the moments before his clinical finish with 14 minutes left of normal time.
His stunning Hampden winner — blasting a right-foot volley into the ground and beyond the grasping reach of diving Dons keeper Kelle Roos — took him up to 14 goals for the season.
Staggeringly for a full-back, he now boasts an impressive overall return of 115 goals from 431 appearances over his eight years at Ibrox.
Tavernier, 32, said: “I spoke to John Souttar at half-time having noticed that Ross McCausland had got in at the back post a couple of times.
“I thought I could look to maybe get in there myself.
“I saw Borna Barisic get to the byeline and I thought I would get myself into the box. When it went up in the air, I just thought, ‘Get it on target’.
“The joy of scoring a goal is unbelievable and then we were able to see it out.”
It’s the first time Rangers have lifted the trophy in 12 years[/caption]
On ending a 12-year wait for the League Cup, Tav added: “It has been too long.
“It is the first chance that we have had to win silverware this season and we have got our hands on it.
“Nothing is the limit for us if we really knuckle down and perform well as a team all season.
“You talk about the league. There are plenty of games to be played and the final decision will be made in May. But we are in great stead now.
“We have got our hands on a trophy and we have topped the group in the Europa League, so it has been a huge week for the club and the players.
“We have got to really enjoy it, but also build on it and not forget what is in front of us.”
Gers now play the first of their two Premiership games in hand against St Johnstone at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Win that and they will move to within two points of stumbling champions Celtic, and still with a game in hand to play.
Tavernier said: “Look at what the situation was eight or nine weeks ago. Football can move very quickly.
“We’ll enjoy this, recover, then focus on using home advantage to get three points on Wednesday.
“There is momentum there and we have to keep winning games.”
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