Former Rangers captain James Tavernier has defended his recent move to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, describing the country as a "beautiful place with beautiful people" despite criticism over the ongoing regional conflict.

Tavernier, who joined Maccabi Tel Aviv after 11 years at Ibrox, has already made an impact on the pitch, winning both of his first two games, including a significant 4-1 derby victory against Hapoel Tel Aviv, as reported by The Glasgow Times.

Tavernier Defends ‘Controversial’ Transfer

Tavernier’s decision to sign with the Israeli club was met with criticism from supporters and commentators, who raised concerns about regional security due to the ongoing conflict. However, the defender has maintained his stance on the move.

"I think, obviously, what you read and see back home, I don’t think it does justice to Israel itself," Tavernier stated. He acknowledged that "there’s stuff that’s happening around," but emphasised that "from what I’ve experienced, it’s been really lovely." He also plans to move his family to Israel following the international break.

Influence of Former Teammate Kenny Miller

A significant factor in Tavernier’s move was the influence of his former Rangers teammate, Kenny Miller, who now serves as a coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to The Glasgow Times, Miller played a crucial role in convincing Tavernier to make the switch.

Tavernier revealed that Miller first contacted him while he was on holiday in America, pitching Maccabi Tel Aviv as "a club that wants to win things" and detailing "how passionate the club and the fans are." Tavernier, who sought a new challenge and the opportunity to win trophies after his long tenure with Rangers, also expressed a desire to "be in the sun after experiencing 11 years in the rain a lot."

He praised Miller’s managerial approach, noting, "He’s the exact same as a player. He always wanted the standards to be really high, and he drives that into the team now. That’s his really strong point."

Early Success and Fan Reception

Tavernier has quickly integrated into his new team. After two games and a few training sessions, he expressed happiness with his choice: "Me just being in the door the past couple of weeks, experiencing the fans, the team and the club, it’s really special. I’m really happy that I made the choice. I can’t wait to get fully match fit."

The atmosphere at Maccabi Tel Aviv has also left a strong impression on Tavernier. He described it as "special and amazing," recalling that he called his wife after a game, stating "the noise was just unbelievable." Notably, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have been heard chanting "F*** you Celtic," a detail reported by Read Celtic, which the publication suggests would be welcomed by Tavernier given his history with the Glasgow club.