When Steven Davis moved to Rangers in January, it’s fair to say that most fans will have been delighted. He was, and still is, a favourite with the Ibrox faithful for his years of service during his first stint at the club, and no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, he’ll continue to be a hero of many going forward.
At the end of the season, though, the Gers have a decision to make. Davis is only at the club on a 6-month loan deal, and so a summer departure is, at present, on the cards.
The club will have to make a decision as to whether they want him to remain at the club long-term, and that’s a question that Steven Gerrard is surely already asking himself.
In reality, though, Gerrard must use his head, not his heart, and for that reason, surely it makes sense to simply move him on come the end of the season?
After all, Davis hasn’t been able to have the desired impact so far this season. He hasn’t been able to force himself into the first team on a regular basis, and having not completed 90 minutes once in the Scottish top flight prior to the Gers’ game with Kilmarnock, his usefulness to the team is clearly limited. Likewise, he’s not really having an impact moving forward, with just 1 assist to his name, and having played only a few games, it’s clear that he’s not able to feature regularly.
Other Rangers players, like Scott Arfield, are excelling, and that leaves no room for a player like Davis when he’s not in form.
It’s also important to recognise Davis’ age. At 34-years-old, there’s no way around it, he’s a short-term option. He’s past his best, and he’s not going to be a Rangers player in a few years regardless of his fate this summer. Some would argue that that offers experience, and it does, but how valuable is Davis as a player to Rangers right now, honestly?
In reality, the Gers would be far better served by bringing in a younger player that can play every week and make an impact. Davis just isn’t at the races, and signing him to a permanent deal would represent a step backwards, rather than a step forwards.
Davis has undeniably had an impact at Ibrox this season, but his tenure in Scotland must end when the season does. Rangers must forget the past – and look to the future.
