By Dan Carter

16th Nov, 2023 | 5:10pm

Barry Ferguson offers Steven Davis verdict live on air after Rangers decision

Barry Ferguson has offered his verdict on Steven Davis’ decision to turn down the opportunity to join Philippe Clement’s Rangers coaching team.

The 38-year-old has decided to continue his rehabilitation on a knee injury to continue his playing career, having acted as caretaker manager at Ibrox following the sacking of Michael Beale earlier this season.

Most had expected Davies to call time on his playing career and begin the transition into coaching and one-day management, but Ferguson has praised the midfielder for making the decision that was right for his career and hopes he could return to Rangers one day.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (15 November, 1:26:00) he said: “I watched his interview and it was a great interview. Davo always speaks really well and I think he’s just focused on himself Paul and his fitness.

“It was interesting to hear him say that he can’t even go out and kick a ball around with his son. That tells you that he’s not in a good place in terms of his knee, he really needs to focus on doing whatever he needs to do and try and get back fit.

“It was an interesting interview, but listen over the piece, he’s been a fantastic player, a brilliant, brilliant professional and it was a good opportunity that he had there, but he’s thinking about himself and that’s the right thing for him and his family.

“Hopefully, he can get back playing, whether it’s at Rangers or somewhere else, we don’t know. I just hope he gets back to some sort of fitness because at 38 he still looks as though to me that he can play.”

Right call

The natural transition of adding Davis to Clement’s staff behind the scenes at Ibrox would have made perfect sense, given the fact the midfielder could have acted as a good go between the playing staff and coaches given his relationships with the side.

His time in charge as caretaker boss was mixed, with a poor result against Aris Limassol in the Europa League and a win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, but he certainly has the experience and the knowledge of the game to be an influential coach.

But for his health and the potential life left in his playing career, the 38-year-old has made the correct call to properly rehabilitate after his ACL injury to ensure that he can have a good life when he does eventually hang up his boots.

It feels unlikely he will make a return to the Light Blues’ midfield when he finally returns to action, but it would be excellent to see him back playing professionally sooner rather than later. It would be nice if the Rangers fans could give him a proper send-off with one final outing.

In other Rangers news, Peter Grant has admitted that he is surprised the Light Blues didn’t move to sign Lawrence Shankland this summer