Ben Davies does not deserve Rangers starting spot in brutal assessment
Four Lads Had A Dream author Steven Clifford has formed a strong opinion that Ben Davies should not be a first choice defender for Rangers next season.
The writer revisited his opinion of the former Liverpool and Sheffield United defender from January when he cast doubt on his suitability at Ibrox.
Since then, nothing has changed his mind with the high profile mistake against Celtic on Saturday solidifying his assessment of the 27 year old.
On the question if Davies is deserving as a first choice central defender next season, Clifford was left with no doubt on the Rangers Review morning briefing (11 April, 28mins, 14secs).
“What I said at the time was I thought Ben Davies is very good on the ball. He’s very nice, positionally he’s decent enough and in most games he will get through,” he stated.
“Fast forward to April and more people are thinking ‘maybe he’s got a point’. I didn’t say Ben Davies was a bad player, I didn’t criticise him saying we should get him out or anything.
“I’d a real issue if he could defend when we really needed it, was he strong enough, was he the commanding centre half that we needed. The answer is no he’s not.”
No time for sentiment
Four Lads is absolutely correct with his assessment. It may only be his first season at Ibrox but Davies has not proven that he has the skill set to truly make an impression in the rough and tumble of Scottish football.
As featured in the discussion, he is a player who is more than capable of moving the ball out of defence effectively.
He will have no real issues in most Premiership games, especially at home but he has shown nothing to suggest that he has the aggressive dominant streak required for the aerial aspects of the Scottish game and especially against Celtic.
It is in that contest when reputations are forged and Davies is running out of time for his not to be a negative one.
For a reported £4million outlay, Rangers need more of an impact and better quality than what he has provided up to now. With no room for sentiment ahead of a massive season, the club should go back to the market to find a replacement.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has shared how Beale will look to defeat Celtic in the Scottish Cup.