MARK WARBURTON reckons he has a potential Premier League star in the making in right-back James Tavernier.

The 23-year-old has made a superb start to his Rangers career since joining from Wigan Athletic this summer and has quickly become an integral part of Warburton’s plans.

Tavernier netted his fourth goal of the campaign in stunning style against Hibernian on Sunday as his curling free-kick clinched all three points at Ibrox.

The defender spent time on loan at the likes of Carlisle, Sheffield United and Rotherham before joining Wigan from Newcastle United last summer.

And Warburton is confident Tavernier has what it takes to have a blossoming career in the game after seeing him hit the ground running at Ibrox.

He said: "I think he can play Premier League. He's quick, strong, clever on the ball, good delivery and he has that certain flair aspects to his game that you want to see on top of his defensive responsibilities.

“So I think he is a very talented player. Look at Lee Wallace on the other side with his qualities going forward, so we have options all over the park.

"I hope we are struggling to keep all the players and I mean that in the right way because that would mean we are doing well and we'd be in good shape if that happened.

“The players are enjoying being here and they enjoy playing in front of 50,000.

“We've had great support from the fans and we've won six out of six so long may that continue. As a group we are getting stronger."

Tavernier clinched a deal at Ibrox on the same day that striker Martyn Waghorn completed his move from Wigan and has gone on to become a firm favourite amongst fans.

Rangers moved quickly to secure a switch for the defender as he and Waghorn followed Rob Kiernan in making the move to the Championship.

And Warburton is delighted to see the deal paying off already as Tavernier shines in Light Blue this term.

He said: "I knew he was a good athlete, I knew he was a good player, I was very thankful to get hold of him because I didn't think we would do.

“Some clubs hesitated and we secured him. He's got lots of talent and there is loads of development potential to come from him.

“He's just turned 23 and he's a really talented player. He's fitted into the dressing room well and he's well liked and he's enjoying himself.

“Clubs were aware of him, but there were different situations. The Tyrone Mings transfer happened, Ipswich to Bournemouth, and what’s the price of full backs?

“People are maybe unsure so the timing was good for us and we were thankful of getting hold of him and we did.”

“For me I think he can play at the highest level, he's got to work hard and he does.

“He enjoys training and his appetite for football, his desire to learn and his appetite to learn is first class."

Tavernier is not the only Ibrox star to have impressed so far this season as Warburton’s side have won their first six games of the new campaign.

Fellow full-back Lee Wallace has been rejuvenated under Warburton’s guidance and has thrived since being handed the captain’s armband.

The 28-year-old has missed out on a place in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad for the double header with Germany and Georgia but he has been backed to force his way into the international reckoning once again.

Warburton said: "I don't know the background well enough, all I know is Lee.

“I'm told by people that he looks leaner and stronger. From the first minute of pre-season this year he's been first class. That's not an exaggeration, he's been outstanding for me.

“He works hard and has been made captain for a reason. It wasn't a quickly taken decision.

“We thought long and hard about it and spoke to him about the responsibility of it and what was involved. He's been a good captain for me already and he will get stronger.

“I think if he has not been called up he can't be far away in my opinion, not that I would tell a national manager what to do.

“He's got all the ability and he's getting stronger by the day. Look at his level of performances. He's getting forward and scoring goals, he's very happy with the role and our formation.

“We're enjoying working with him. He's got the ear of the squad which a captain needs to have. He's in a good place right now and we are lucky to have him."