Michael Beale reveals Rangers first team plan before ‘decision’ for Steven Davis amid reprieve for exit-bound ace
Steven Davis is set to remain around the Rangers first team as a “normal player” before a “decision” is made says Michael Beale, after the injured midfielder was handed an exit reprieve.
The Northern Ireland international was considered a sure-fire departure as his contract headed for its expiry, but when the 23 May announcement came confirming the exits of senior teammates Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Filip Helander and Alfredo Morelos, Davis was not included.
Instead, it was revealed that the 38-year-old “remain[ed] in discussions to continue working with the club’s medical team” after suffering a major knee injury in December, and now Beale has indicated there could still be a playing future with the Gers first team before any thoughts about a coaching career.
Beale said, as per Football Scotland: “We’ll get him ready, we’ll get him back to play and then the options are open. But you can’t rush into coaching because it has to be something you want to do.
“He’ll be in and around the first team as a normal player in terms of his rehab and then there will be a decision.
“At this moment in time Steven has a real burning desire to play and we want to help him get back to that. He’s a Hall of Fame player here and it’s the wrong way for him to end in a training ground accident.
“It’s important Steven’s ambition is to get back playing and for me as a coach to help him have that option.”
Bonus
It is good to see Rangers supporting the veteran through his rehab, although Helander might wonder what he did wrong for the Swede to have not been afforded the same treatment after a whole year out injured, but even Davis surely wouldn’t have expected the opportunity to feature for the club again to be on the table.
It may not end up happening, as much will depend on the state of play as and when he is fit enough for it to be a question, but with many hoping Arfield was kept on it looks like Davis has got that chance instead.
As a veteran presence around the club he can have a valuable effect on the younger players, which now McGregor is moving on will be everyone, but how much contact he will have if he is on his own programme of recovery will have a bearing on that.
It would still be a surprise for Davis to add too many to his 360 Rangers appearances [Transfermarkt], but it looks like the door remains open for now.
With Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin signed to the midfield in January, and Kieran Dowell already added this summer ahead of more likely arrivals, it could be a crowded field for the veteran to get past, especially with Ryan Jack given a one-year extension.
But his future prospects at Ibrox appear to have actually increased slightly with the injury, which is an unforeseen development when the devastating news hit in December.
In other Rangers news, Beale can now sign his “top target” after contract talks collapsed.