Jackie McNamara drools over ‘excellent’ Rangers favourite after Old Firm win
Rangers were head and shoulders above Celtic at times in their Old Firm clash on Sunday afternoon.
On both a tactical and individual level, this was a vintage display from the Gers, especially considering the fact that they were away from home and fully aware of the implications that a defeat would have had for their title challenge.
And on player who certainly caught the eye was Steven Davis.
The veteran North Irishman returned to the starting XI after an absence with a foot injury, but didn’t miss a beat as he took the occasion and the battle in his stride.
And he was impressive enough to garner high praise from pundit Jack kid McNamara too.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I thought he was excellent.
“He was possibly Rangers’ best player on the day, he organised the team.
“He did what Scott Brown does for Celtic, but the difference was he had the players in front of him.
“The attacking three were getting in the right positions, working together, whereas the Celtic players were too far apart, stayed wide, quite rigid and were easy to mark.”
Davis’ quality almost goes without mentioning, but it is his experience that could prove to be a real asset over the second half of this season.
The manner in which he marshals that central three is admirable, and if Sunday was a battle of wits between him and fellow veteran Scott Brown, there was absolutely only one winner.
Scott Arfield did brilliantly during Davis’ absence, but now that he is back, there is no way that he should be dropping back out of that side unless he absolutely has to.
Steven Gerrard will certainly be hoping for an injury-free 2020.
In other news, ‘Masterstroke’ – Hutton raves about ‘standout’ Rangers performer v Celtic.