Tavernier Makes 'Pretty Good' Form Assessment and Details Clement Conversations

"It's Not Where We Wanted to Be but..."

Rangers assistant manager Mick Tavernier gave a relatively upbeat assessment of the team’s winter training camp in Portugal on Tuesday despite their 2-1 defeat to Portuguese second division side Casa Pia on Monday, their first outing of the warm-weather trip. "It was a pretty good workout. Physically the boys worked hard, but there’s lots to improve on and that’s what these games are for."

Building Fitness

Tavernier explained that, while the performance levels weren't at the heights he and manager Michael Beale would have liked, the squad is still very much in the early stages of building up their fitness for the second half of the campaign.

Clement Contact

Tavernier also revealed that he and Beale have been in regular contact with injured captain James Tavernier, who is continuing his rehabilitation on a knee injury back in Glasgow. The former Middlesbrough defender is expected to be out of action until late February or early March.

Quotes from Tavernier

"It was a good exercise. It'd have been nice to win the game, but these games are primarily about the physical side of things. It was a tough workout. We’re still a little bit off where we need to be in terms of our sharpness and cohesion, but we’ve got time to work on that."

"James is in good spirits and he's working hard on his rehab. We’re in regular contact and he's doing everything he can to get back as soon as possible. He’s a big player for us and we’re looking forward to having him back."

Looking Ahead

Rangers will face Portimonense in their second and final match of their training camp on Wednesday before returning to Glasgow on Thursday.