‘An absolute must’ – Steven Gerrard details top Rangers priority
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has outlined his top priority in the January transfer window.
The Gers have been linked with Scott Wright and Taiwo Awoniyi in recent days, but Gerrard’s primary concern is Steven Davis.
That is because the midfielder only has a few months left to run on his current contract, having signed a two-year deal at Ibrox in 2019.
Speaking to Sky Sports about Davis’ contract situation, as reported by the Scottish Sun, Gerrard said:
“He’s extremely important both on and off the pitch. He sets standards that we try and match on a daily basis.
“The level he’s playing at, his consistency, his hunger for the game is still there.
“He’s a top professional so a lot of people look up to him and follow what he does.
“For me, it’s an absolute must that he’s here beyond this season.”
Key figure
Davis’ importance for the Gers cannot be overestimated, and the attributes he provides have been essential to our development on and off the pitch over the last two years.
He may be getting on a bit at 36 but he is still ever-present, and a player Gerrard knows he can rely on.
Despite his age the midfielder is perhaps the most pivotal player for our passing game, with an average of 75 passes per league game this campaign.
That is valuable for Stevie G but also his teammates, as they can look to him for leadership in matches and advice away from the pitch.
Signing Davis to a new deal should be the main goal, therefore, as we don’t have a like-for-like replacement for the Northern Ireland international in the squad at present.
It would be difficult to sign a similar player too so Gerrard is right to focus on getting him tied down for next season.
Moreover, the lead at the top of the SPFL is 21 points so we are not too concerned if Gerrard decides not to make any January additions.
In other Rangers news, Alex McCleish is delighted with the response an under-pressure player has made.