Q: How has training been this week in slightly unique circumstances?

“Training has been really positive and really sharp this week. David [McCallum] and Brain [Gilmour] and JD [Jermain Defoe] have all stepped in and took training and it has been really good. We’ve obviously had to wait for a few of the international boys to come back but, but they mostly came back on Wednesday and Thursday, so we’ve had a couple of good sessions together.”

Q: Tell us what the last couple of weeks have been like?

“We’re in an industry where people come and go. That’s a part of the game. Everything has happened so quick, it has already been more than a week. I thought that the club and Ross [Wilson] and everyone has dealt with it really smoothly. That’s put everyone at ease.”

Q: How important is it to improve Rangers’ record in domestic cup competitions?

“We’re always striving to be better. To better ourselves every day and every season. Domestically in the cups, we’ve not been there, but we want to build on what we’ve achieved last season in winning the league. We want to take it to this season and have a real good go at it.

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“Rangers is built off of winning trophies. That’s what all the boys know so, we’re fully focused on the job in hand tomorrow which will be a tough game but we’re fully focused and we know what we need to do. It’s about winning trophies at this club – the first day I signed here that was one of the things that you’d see. You see the trophy cabinet, how much Rangers have won over the years and we want to carry that on.”

Q: How much will change tactically ahead of Sunday, despite the managerial change?

“I don’t think much changes at all. The way we play, it filters down into the B team and into the younger teams. We’ve got a great philosophy of the way we want to play and that just filters down the club. David and Brian have come in and it has been a seamless transition.

“They’ve been involved in our training sessions before through this season and last season. So, it’s fitted so perfectly. The training this week hasn’t really changed much and I’m sure the tactics tomorrow won’t really change that much either.”

Q: Have you spoken to Giovanni van Bronckhorst yet?

“The gaffer didn’t really want to disrupt the team this close to the semi-final. I am seeing him on Monday morning so I’ll have a good chat with him then. But he didn’t want to come in and disrupt what was happening so close to the game. I know all the boys and myself are really looking forward to working with him.”

Q: Did the new manager offer any insight into how he wants you to lead the dressing room?

“Everything has been through dialect with Ross. Gio wanted to be respectful to me and the team and not be disruptful. I’ve been in constant dialogue with Ross, with Gio obviously being the third party.

“[I’m] speaking to him Monday, I’m really looking forward to it and moving onto a new chapter.”

Q: What have you made of Nathan Patterson’s performance for Scotland?

“There are two or three players in each position where we are playing for each other's position. And we’ve built it up to that now where every player is training hard, pushing each other along through each training session and game. So we know that there’s competition for places all over the pitch.

"When the new gaffer comes in he’ll be seeing that and obviously for the lads who maybe have not had a chance, it’s a fresh page for everybody now.

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“For Nathan, he didn’t get too much game time before the international break. But he’s training really well every single day and I’m pushing him he’s pushing me and he’s developing really well. I’m always here to help him to develop and the other boys are - but he’s keeping his head down and working really hard. We’re just pushing each other and that’s what everyone’s doing in each position.”

Q: How confident are you that it will be a seamless transition once the new manager comes in?

“It’s a bit of a different situation [to previous managerial changes at the club]. In the past managers have been let go, you don’t want to see that but it happens in football, but this is a different transition where Steven did such a good job and a club comes in for him. This squad that we’ve got now is one of the strongest I’ve played with.

"Previously it may not have been so strong and going through different situations. But the squad that we’ve got now is one of the strongest I’ve played with. I’ve got great belief in them, great confidence in them. The way this transition will be, the new gaffer will be taking over a great squad and just be implementing his tactics and how he wants us to play. The foundations are there, that’s the reason I see it as being seamless.

James Tavernier was speaking at a Premier Sports Cup event. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £12.99 per month.