Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has been 'brilliant for years' and deserves a new contract, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Injury blow

Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury at the end of December, which cast doubt on whether Rangers would choose to extend his contract beyond the end of the campaign, when is it due to expire.

However, Football Insider reported earlier this month that a new contract is 'very likely' to be offered to the midfielder, who would become a player coach, having already started work on obtaining his coaching badges.

The Latest: McAvennie reacts

In an interview with Football Insider, McAvennie has claimed that the Gers should keep the 38-year-old around in some capacity, due to the positive influence he could have on their younger players.

When asked whether Michael Beale should offer him a new contract, the pundit said: “Davis is a player that I would look up to. He has been there, seen it and done it. I do not get why he would not want to keep him around the place in a coaching role.

“Defoe was great for [Alfredo] Morelos, just watching him every day. No matter what people say Davis is a great, he has been brilliant for years. If I was a Rangers players I would want to train with him every day and listen to him. He’s a huge figure for them.”

The Verdict: Worth keeping?

If the Northern Irishman is able to make a full recovery from his knee issue, then he would be a trusty back-up option for Beale in midfield, having made 16 appearances for Rangers in all competitions prior to his injury.

However, given his age, the most important reason to keep him is because he knows the club inside and out, having made a total of 360 appearances across his spells with the Teddy Bears, while he also has 306 Premier League appearances to his name.

This experience is vital to have in any dressing room, and he could have a real impact on some of the club's younger midfield players, including Malik Tillman, who they have been given the green light to sign permanently in the coming months.

As such, letting Davis' contract run out would be a mistake on Rangers' behalf, and Beale should offer him a player-coach role to make sure he stays at Ibrox.