Southampton identify Rangers captain as Soares replacement

Having allowed right-back Cedric Soares to leave for Inter this month, Southampton have stepped up their interest in Rangers defender James Tavernier, The Express claims.

The 27-year-old full-back is Steven Gerrard’s skipper at Ibrox and a key player to the side as they fight for the Scottish Premiership title.

The former Newcastle graduate never made a Premier League appearance for the Magpies but does have some Championship experience having spent the first half of the 2014/15 season at Wigan, before being loaned out to Bristol City.

The defender agreed a permanent switch to Rangers this following summer and having failed to make his mark south of the border, has been an important player for the Scottish giants ever since, helping the club to promotion back to the top-flight in his first season in Glasgow.

Tavernier was named as the new club captain by Gerrard in the summer and his leadership and goal threat from the back - scoring six league goals and another in the Europa League - has ensured the club are involved in a real title race.

As such Rangers are believed to value their skipper in the region of £8m, with Saints preparing to test their resolve before the transfer deadline on Thursday.