Pundit outlines major boost for Rangers ahead of Old Firm showdown v Celtic
Rangers will feel that they need every advantage they can get going into this weekend’s Old Firm.
There’s no doubting that we have the quality to beat Celtic on Sunday, even if it is away from home, but these games always end up being tightly contested affairs and the more of an edge you have going into them, the better.
As such, the return to fitness of Steven Davis will come as a welcome boost to Steven Gerrard.
The veteran midfielder made a late cameo against Kilmarnock on Boxing Day, and according to Jackie McNamara, that will have given his manager plenty to be hopeful for ahead of the trip to Parkhead.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think they’ll be pleased to get him back for Sunday due to his experience.
“He got 15 minutes so they’ll be hoping he’ll be fully fit for Sunday.”
But while there’s not doubting that having Davis back in the squad is a good thing, you’ve got to ask yourself whether putting him straight back into starting lineup would be a good idea?
For one thing, he has been out for a few weeks, and this is a game that will no doubt be a physical contest from first whistle to last. Will Davis have enough in the locker to keep pace with that kind of tussle, bearing in mind his recent absence?
Secondly, if he starts, somebody else doesn’t.
That’s not meant to be facetious, but honestly, who would you drop for him at the moment?
Scott Arfield is the most obvious candidate, but his inclusion on the right of that midfield three has really allowed Joe Aribo to grow in recent weeks.
It’s good that he’s back, but Davis should be left on the bench at Parkhead.
In other news, Confirmed: Rangers starlet has loan cut short, returns to Ibrox.