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'An upgrade' - Rangers urged to consider re-signing club stalwart on free transfer as ex Ibrox star puts case forward A former Rangers defender has suggested his old club should look to bring James Tavernier back to Ibrox following their Europa League exit Rangers endured a night of Europa League disappointment as they crashed out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the third qualifying round. Derek McInnes’ winless start to his reign in Govan hit its lowest point on Thursday night as his side fell at the first hurdle and were consigned to the Conference League following a 1-1 second leg draw at Ibrox. Captain Lawrence Shankland had converted a first-half penalty to cancel out Jagiellonia’s narrow first leg advantage, but Nik Prelec headed home after 65 minutes to ensure McInnes’ sluggish start as manager was extended to a fourth game. McInnes then suggested in his post-match interview that his squad is “not ready” for the rigours of Europa League football at present, with a glaring lack of fight evident on a difficult night. For Andy Halliday, a concerning lack of leadership - and problems at right-back - has left him in no doubt that his old club should be reaching out to entice 34-year-old former skipper James Tavernier, who left the club at the end of last season, back to the club. Tavernier remains a free agent this summer and has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia and the MLS since bringing the curtain down on his 11-year stay in Glasgow. He is understood to have held recent talks with ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith about a possible transfer to Charlotte FC. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland as he reacted to Rangers’ Europa League exit, Halliday said: “I’m going to say something that will be unpopular, but the first thing Rangers should do in terms of recruitment is phone James Tavernier tomorrow. “Honestly, he’s an upgrade straightaway. You talk about characters, right, which has been labelled at James Tavernier for years. And we’re talking about the ability to play under pressure, to not be afraid to make mistakes, to try and make a creative difference. That’s James Tavernier all over the back. “And without doubt he’s an upgrade on what they’ve got for me. They [Rangers fans] wouldn’t be happy, absolutely not. But, again, everybody’s talking about this new leadership group, this new character. For me, the difference is being able to play under that scrutiny. And I think James Tavernier has never hid from that type of scrutiny. “He always got on the ball no matter the noise that surrounded him, and he’ll always try and make a difference.” Rangers must now overcome FK Jablonec in the Conference League play-off to secure a spot in the league phase after the Czech top-flight side saw off Latvia champions RFS. The first leg will be played at Ibrox on August 20.