James Tavernier extends Rangers stay

James Tavernier has become the latest Rangers player to sign an extended contract.

The right-back has added a year to his current deal to commit himself to Ibrox until the summer of 2019.

The 24-year-old hit 15 goals for Rangers last season after joining from Wigan and netted on Saturday as Mark Warburton's team opened their campaign with a 2-0 League Cup win at Motherwell.

Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and defender Rob Kiernan also signed extensions this week - following the lead of skipper Lee Wallace earlier this summer.

And Martyn Waghorn is also expected to follow suit in the coming days.

The business sees Warburton continue making long-term plans for Rangers after completing his ninth summer signing this week when he brought in Joe Dodoo from Leicester.

The 21-year-old striker could make his debut when Rangers face East Stirlingshire in the League Cup on Friday night.

Warburton - who will make a number of changes at Ochilview after the 2-0 win over Annan - said: "Joe is a young player with lots of qualities, lots of attributes, and if he trains well and makes an impression he will get his chance.

"That has to be the case. There is no pre-agendas. If a player comes in and works hard and delivers in training, they will get their opportunity.

"We've lost eight players and brought in nine - with maybe a couple more to come in - but there still has to be a pathway to the first team."

Even if Warburton fails to land the extra striker and centre-back he is looking for, he says his recent business has been more than satisfactory.

"So far it's been an outstanding summer in terms of getting that balance right," he said.

"We're looking for that depth, that quality, that spark we may currently lack. But we're delighted. The players are starting to gel and the fitness levels are starting to fall into place.

"What we won't do is just add numbers for numbers sake. They have to have something we don't currently possess."

The Rangers boss believes one of his signings, Josh Windass, has already proven his worth.

The 22-year-old former Accrington midfielder made an immediate impression on his debut against Motherwell with his driving runs and was equally as impressive against Annan.

Warburton said: "If you look back at last season, not many fans would have heard of Tav, Waggy, Rob Kiernan or Wes Foderingham before they came here.

"But they came and made an impression. So I think you have to give credit to our scouting department in terms of looking at our young talents.

"Josh has already shown his quality. He's got a change of pace, a dynamism in the final third and he's clever on the ball.

"So with him, I think you will see another young player - just as you will with Joe Dodoo and Jordan Rossiter - pushing really hard.

"They haven't come here to make up the numbers. Josh is a really exciting talent. We're delighted with his progress so far. It's early days and he knows what he has to do but we believe there is a real player there."

Meanwhile, Warburton has confirmed Matt Crooks is still three weeks away from returning to action after ankle trouble.