Maccabi continued its perfect start to the 2026/27 League campaign with another emphatic 4-1 victory at Bloomfield stadium this time on Hapoel in the Tel Aviv derby. James Tavernier who recently joined Maccabi after 11 years with Glasgow Rangers where he played in 39 Old Firm derbies, spoke after his first Tel Aviv derby. “The truth is that immediately after the final whistle, I called my wife and told her that the atmosphere in the stadium was simply unbelievable,” Tavernier said shortly after the match. “I’ve experienced plenty of big atmospheres in Europe and at Ibrox as well, but Bloomfield produced an atmosphere unlike anything else, from the moment we went out for the warm-up until the end of the game. It certainly helps when you win, but the fans were amazing.”
On his decision to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, the 34-year-old full-back revealed what went on behind-the-scenes which led to his move: “Kenny Miller played a major role in it. He first called me while I was on a family vacation in America and presented the vision to me; A club that wants to win trophies, with a very passionate fanbase. After 11 years at Rangers, I was looking for a new challenge and wanted a place where I could continue fighting for trophies, which is something I’ve wanted since I was a kid. After a few weeks here, experiencing the club, the players and the fans, I am extremely happy with the choice I made.”
During the match, Tavernier was constantly directing his fellow teammates and firing up the fans as Tavernier said: “I bring a lot of experience onto the pitch, and Kenny wants me to bring that to the team, to organise, help the lads and direct them. We have conceded goals in our last two games that we shouldn’t have conceded, but it’s our responsibility to improve from the training ground to the matches. There’s a huge amount of hunger in this team, and you could see that from the players who came off the bench and made a big impact.”
Tavernier, who played for three seasons alongside Miller at Ibrox between 2015-2018, said on playing under his former teammate: “I played with him before and knew he was going to come into coaching. He always demanded the highest standards when he was a player, and that’s exactly what he brings with him now as a coach. His demand for excellence is his strength, and it works really well with the players.”
On adapting to playing at a complete different climate to Glasgow, Tavernier whose first match was played in the dessert climate of Be’ersheva before facing the Tel Aviv humidity, added: “I’ve played twice for 70 minutes in a short period of time, and today was much hotter and more humid than what I’m used to. Of course, I’ll improve and reach full match fitness as the games go by. As we move through the coming weeks, you’ll see me getting forward more and more down the wing, supporting the attack and joining the play further forward, while also maintaining a strong defensive foundation at the back.”
On the extensive media coverage back in the UK surrounding his move, Tavernier summed up: “What you see in the media abroad doesn’t do justice to what Israel is really like. From my experience so far, it’s a beautiful place with lovely people. My wife was here for a week and really enjoyed it, and my family will move here to live with me during the international break. I already can’t wait.”
