Former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton believes that Jon Flanagan is the perfect long-term replacement for James Tavernier.
It is thought that Tavernier, who has been an ever-present for the Ibrox club for the last five years, could leave Glasgow in the near future.
The former Newcastle United man has attracted the interest of Premier League clubs for some time now. But if he does move on then Hutton believes that the Gers have a ready made replacement in Flanagan.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Scotland international said: “I just wonder if Tavernier is going to go soon, Flanagan would be an ideal replacement at right-back.
“It’s difficult when you’ve got somebody ahead of you that’s doing what he was doing, you’re going to struggle to get in the team.
“There was an opening at left back where he played, it’s not his natural position but he’s done okay when he’s been called upon, it’s obviously difficult but the time that he has played he’s done okay.”
Flanagan joined Rangers from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2018, but only managed to make 11 Scottish Premiership appearances in his first year with the club.
Having suffered a serious knee injury whilst at Anfield, he is still looking to get back to the level he was at beforehand. He was considered one of the most promising young defenders around early on in his career (as pointed out by Bleacher Report) and was even handed an England cap in 2014.
At just 26-years-old there is still time for the full-back to rediscover his best form and Hutton certainly believes that it is possible for Flanagan become an important player for Rangers in the future.
“Sometimes it can be difficult, there can be all sorts of reasons behind it when you’re not getting to the level that you want to,” Hutton said.
“He’s another one that was maybe looking for somewhere to call home and settle, Steven Gerrard known him very well from his Liverpool days.
“There’s a chance of him just taking things slow, building on things really slowly and he could be a slow burner, he could really come into it and settle down.”
Rangers fans, if James Tavernier does leave would you be happy to see Jon Flanagan replace him? Or should the club go out and sign another right back? Let us know in the comments below!
