New update emerges on Steven Davis knee injury as he fights for Rangers role
Michael O’Neill has provided an update on Steven Davis’ knee injury situation as the Rangers veteran fights for a continued role at Ibrox, as shared by the Belfast Telegraph.
The Northern Ireland boss commented that he was not surprised that Michael Beale wanted Davis to stay around at the club, as well as commending Rangers for their duty of care to the player.
O’Neill was speaking as he runs the rule over a large panel of players in pre-arranged training camps ahead of his side’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Denmark and Kazakhstan.
The former Stoke City manager will be without the services of his captain for those games but he believes that the midfield maestro has what it takes to recover from this significant injury setback, as he detailed some recent progress in Davis’ recovery.
“I didn’t expect anything different if I’m honest. Rangers is a club that will look after their players,” he said.
“I think Steven is in a good place now. He had a little bit of trouble earlier on with the injury in terms of maybe the bend in his knee which was a little bit challenging but he is beyond that now.
“The good thing for Steven is he’s 38 but he has a 32-year-old body. Provided he doesn’t hit other little setbacks along the way then hopefully his progress will increase and he’ll get back.”
Role to play
With the departures of Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield, there will be a loss of experience and leadership within the dressing room at Ibrox and more importantly, at the Auchenhowie training base on a daily basis.
Beale will likely be keen to retain Davis to continue to set the standards in that regard, but his situation is not one dictated by sentiment.
Rangers are rightly sticking by the player in supporting him during a difficult rehab process with the door left firmly open for both parties, as next season progresses. If all goes well, the Northern Ireland legend could be in contention for a return to full training around autumn.
He can still play a role on the pitch but of course, it will be on the fringes of the squad. Davis may be 38 but his general fitness and condition have never been in doubt.
If all goes to plan, his Rangers story still has a final chapter to be written.
In other Rangers news, this rising Ibrox star could get a ‘huge’ opportunity ahead of Scotland’s trip to Spain.