Steven Gerrard has raised the standard at Rangers, says James Tavernier

James Tavernier says Steven Gerrard has already raised the standard at Rangers after admitting it had “dropped over the years”.

The Gers defender has been impressed by his first few days working with former Liverpool and England skipper Gerrard and his backroom staff.

Tavernier was signed from Wigan by Mark Warburton in 2015 on the promise the Light Blues were building to be competitive once they reclaimed their place in the Premiership but, two years on from securing promotion, the Gers have failed to overtake Aberdeen, never mind Celtic.

However, with Gerrard now demanding nothing but the best from his squad, Tavernier says things are finally looking up.

"Most of the time it still feels strange he is my manager. When he strikes a ball with so much ease, stuff like that is a little bit surreal," he told RangersTV.

"I know he is the gaffer now and you do get those little moments when you find yourself going, 'That's Steven Gerrard over there'.

"Having Gary McAllister here as well is a big thing to me because of Leeds United. He is basically a Yorkshireman now so it is great to have him and his character around.

"Michael Beale [first-team coach] too is great, his knowledge of the game is superb. We also have a bunch of Scousers in now and it is fun, it is a good set-up. They have raised the standard higher which has always needed to be done because it has dropped over the years."

Tavernier added: "Straight away I have noticed the standard and where he wants it and the boys have responded really well. Even from doing small passing drills and our little boxes, the level has already gone up.

"The whole new staff who the gaffer has brought in are fantastic, there is a great combination that they have got going on. We are all enjoying the training and we all believe in what he wants us to do."

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