James Tavernier: It would mean everything to win League Cup with Rangers

Rangers captain James Tavernier says it would mean “everything” for him to win the Viaplay Cup and complete his set of winners’ medals.

The Ibrox side face Aberdeen at Hampden this weekend with a place in the final at stake and a chance to compete for the first piece of silverware this season.

Tavernier has been at Rangers since 2015 and despite having won the Premiership and the Scottish Cup in his time at the club, the League Cup has proved more elusive.

With the team two games away from glory, the Rangers skipper admitted the prize was one he had targeted.

“It would mean everything,” he said. “It’s obviously a cup that most of us haven’t got.

“We’ve set our sights on it.

“It’s obviously an early cup that you can win.

“You want to get your hands on a trophy as early as possible and this is a good opportunity to do that.”

Standing in Rangers way in the semi-final is an Aberdeen side that got back to winning ways with a victory over St Johnstone last Saturday but suffered the last time they came up against Tavernier and his teammates.

The Dons were 2-1 ahead after 90 minutes at Pittodrie in December before a late, late double from Scott Arfield saw Rangers take three points in dramatic fashion.

“We showed real good grit and determination to see the game out,” Tavernier said.

“We took risks and got the reward but obviously we’re looking to have a better performance.

“We’ve been improving over weeks so our game plan going into the game will hopefully see us through to the final.”

Asked if that late agony in the previous meeting might affect or motivate Aberdeen, Tavernier said the onus was on his team to get their own game right and not worry about others.

“I’ve not really put too much thought into how they’re thinking,” he said. “It’s down to us to put a performance in at the weekend ourselves and know what we can do.

“If we follow the tactics that the gaffer wants and we’re all at it from the first whistle then we’ll out in a good performance and hopefully get to the final.”