Josh Magennis shares ‘fantastic’ Steven Davis verdict after what happened at ‘five-star’ Rangers recently
Wigan Athletic and Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis believes Steven Davis has the respect of Rangers, which led to his recent appointment as interim manager.
The midfielder, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since last December, was put in temporary charge of the club following the sacking of Michael Beale.
Belgian Philippe Clement later took over in the Ibrox dugout, with Davis now continuing to recover from his long-term injury.
“I could always see that he had that authority in him,” Magennis told UTV Sport (29 November). “He had that respect, especially of a club like Rangers, a five-star club, world-renowned. I think he has massive respect from not only the people close around him but the football community.
“He’s my captain, he’s been my captain since I’ve been here (Northern Ireland). I’ve been fortunate enough that when I came into the squad he took to me and I took to him, and I’ve enjoyed learning off him and being around him. He’s got fantastic energy.”
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Davis is clearly well-respected at both Rangers and Northern Ireland, with the duo both missing the midfielder over recent months.
Magennis and Davis know each other very well thanks to their lengthy international careers, with the former currently a member of Michael O’Neill’s setup.
But the manager has had to do without Davis, much to his and his country’s frustration, with Northern Ireland recently enduring a very difficult Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in his absence.
While he has been sidelined for a long period now, fears about his career on the pitch are understandable given that he is 38 years old.
But both Clement and O’Neill will be keen for the veteran to make it out onto the pitch at least one more time before potentially hanging up his boots.
A career in management could then certainly be on the cards after Davis’s temporary spell at Ibrox before Clement came in.
In other Rangers news, Clement is working wonders on and off the pitch at Ibrox as Gers contract news emerges.