Tom English reacts to ‘rookie’ Steven Davis appointment at Rangers as ‘mighty demise’ verdict shared
Rangers have suffered a “mighty demise” since they lost the 2021/22 Europa League final, according to BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English.
The Gers lost that game to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst in charge back then.
The Scottish side are now without a manager following the sacking of Michael Beale, with Gers player Steven Davis taking over on an interim basis.
“Steven Davis has been parachuted into the role as interim manager, a terrific player in his day and a really good person, but he’s another rookie and he could be there for some time because Rangers won’t be rushing this appointment like they rushed the last one,” English wrote for BBC Sport.
“There is no wise head at Ibrox to help him, just a lot of other coaches – Steven Smith, Alex Rae, Brian Gilmour and Colin Stewart – who have been assembled as an emergency squad. They may as well put a flashing light on the top of their head on the way to training.
“It’s a mighty demise from where they were in the season they made it all the way to the Europa League final. That seems like another lifetime.”
Tough task
Davis has no managerial experience to date, so it is undoubtedly going to be a very difficult task for the Northern Ireland international.
His current injury will allow the midfielder to spend some time learning the ropes, something he has perhaps been preparing for in recent years given the stage of his career.
At 38 years old, Davis doesn’t have a lot of time left on the pitch, but his experience could be of great benefit to the current Rangers squad during his interim spell in the dugout.
It will be a strange feeling for the midfield ace, with not many people at all being thrown into such a situation. And he has been handed a very tricky test against Aris Limassol first up, with the Gers taking on the Cypriot club in the Europa League on Thursday (5 October).
At least some pressure has been taken off his shoulders given how Beale led the club to a win against Real Betis in their opening game.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has slammed the club’s summer signings, only one can have his “head held high.”