Rangers are preparing for Thursday evening’s Group C Europa League clash with Aris Limassol at the Alphamega Stadium, and following the departure of former manager Michael Beale, the legend that is Steven Davis is now in charge on an interim basis.
The Northern Ireland international midfielder, and skipper, has a rich and proud history at Ibrox given his service (over 350 games) across his two spells with us, and although he is currently out of contract, the 38 year old has remained a familiar face at the training ground as he continues his recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained back in December 2022.
With plenty of questions for fans over how Davis’ tenure will go given his lack of managerial experience, in spite of his immense playing experience and the tricks he must have picked up from his own managers throughout his long career, current skipper James Tavernier is confident that his former team mate will more than step up to the plate and prove himself in the hot seat. It is not unfair to Davis to say that some fans will feel his appointment is akin to rolling a roulette wheel at a uk online casino when judging the potential success he could have, but that does not mean they will not be backing him to the hilt.
“We all admire him so much as a player and as a person. I’m sure all the lads in the dressing room will give him everything that he requires, especially for tomorrow night. The last few days have been challenging, no player wants to see a manager go. Collectively as a team we all feel responsible, we know that performances have not been there, but ultimately the results that have cost us this season, with dropping points, it’s not been good enough. We all take responsibility for that.”
Having backed Davis and held his hands up for the performances so far this year, he turned his attentions more to the game, and added.
“The first thing you can answer back is the next game and getting a result in your next game. We started the Europa League group off really well and we can put ourselves in a good position if we get the result that we want tomorrow.”
Tavernier will have noticed that it has been a slightly hectic time for the 38 year old as he gets his feet under the table, and prepares for the coming game, but Davis himself sounds quite confident that he has been able to put the legwork in when it comes to knowing our imminent opponents and then coming up with a game plan that will take us to success.
“It’s obviously been a really intense couple of days. But hopefully we’ve done a good job on that and the boys are well prepared.”
Davis’ options have been slightly increased for the clash when it comes to the injury situation, as midfielder Nico Raskin and striker Kemar Roofe have travelled with the squad, so at the very least are options off the bench presumably, but Todd Cantwell, Danilo, Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence remain out with their issues.
Davis was also hoping that Ryan Jack would be fit in time for the game, but sadly that has not proven to be the case.
Having picked up and opening Group win, we should certainly be confident of another three points in this one though, despite the off pitch distractions we currently have.
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