Steven Davis handed positive omen ahead of Rangers Europa League clash v Aris Limassol after ‘crazy’ 48 hours
Steven Davis has been thrown right into the deep end at Rangers following the sacking of manager Michael Beale.
The midfielder has taken over the Scottish giants on an interim basis after they parted ways with Beale amid a disappointing start to the season.
Given that it is Davis’s first managerial role, the Northern Irishman can certainly expect plenty of difficult moments ahead.
Fortunately, however, he has been handed one positive omen ahead of his first match in the dugout, which is a Europa League clash with Aris Limassol.
The Gers take on the Cypriot club away from home in their group stage encounter on Thursday (5 October). And as per BBC Sport (4 October), Rangers are unbeaten in their four previous European matches against Cypriot clubs, winning three and drawing one.
All four matches came against Anorthosis Famagusta in Champions League qualifiers, in the 1995/96 and 2005/06 seasons.
That should at least provide Davis with some comfort ahead of his debut in the dugout, with the midfielder experiencing a “crazy” time since the decision was made to appoint him.
“I am obviously very honoured, the call came out of the blue a little bit, I wasn’t expecting it, but I would just like to repay the trust the club have shown in me by putting me in this position,” said Davis, as quoted by the official Rangers website (2 October).
“It has been really crazy, I got the phone call last night that they wanted me to come in and lead the team so I was delighted to get the opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Just one day after making those comments, the 38-year-old was out on the training pitch preparing the players for another huge European night, as per the official Rangers website (3 October).
In other Rangers news, journalist Graham Spiers has shared a Gers “balance sheets” view as 10,000 Ibrox crowds are mooted.