Tavernier and Goldson Rangers to Saudi transfer rumours addressed by Philippe Clement

Philippe Clement insists he expects captain James Tavernier and defender Connor Goldson to be at Rangers next season.

Former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard has this week been linked with a double raid on his former club with the duo said to be among his top summer targets. Al-Ettifaq chiefs are set to bankroll Gerrard with another bumper transfer budget and sources in Saudi claim that a formal offer for Gers skipper Tavernier will be made after next month's Scottish Cup Final.

Gerrard made Goldson one of his first Gers signings when he bought the stopper from Brighton in 2018 but the 31-year-old's form has dipped this season, costing him a place in last week's Hampden win over Hearts.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to St Mirren, Clement said: "Yeah, I expect them to be here next season. That's my expectation. Have I spoken to them? No. There's no reason to. My players come to speak to me if they have doubts or if they want to go or if they are out of contract. We have that relationship.

"If I need to speak to every player where there is a rumour about, then we will not train too much or I cannot speak about a lot of interesting things because there are so many rumours in the world now and so much fake news also. So if you need to speak about that all the time, it's a waste of energy."