IT’S A STEVEN PLAYING FIELD

Gerrard: Davis must earn a start just like everyone else at Ibrox

STEVEN GERRARD has told Steven Davis he won’t pick the midfielder on his reputation.

And the Rangers boss has challenged the Northern Ireland captain to show he is worth a place in the first team.

But Gerrard is adamant Davis will be at Ibrox next season despite his disappointing return to the club. He signed an initial six-month loan deal in January and was expected to negotiate a permanent contract at the end of the season.

But the 34-year-old has made just four starts and was out of the squad for Sunday’s Scottish Cup trip to Aberdeen.

Davis was a big-name winter-break signing along with Jermain Defoe but it’s bargain buy Glen Kamara who has impressed the most.

Gerrard warned they don’t have time to persevere with players who fail to produce the goods but says a certain amount of patience is required with Davis due to his lack of game time at Southampton before his move to Gers.

The Ibrox boss, who takes his side to Easter Road tonight, said: “Nobody gets special treatment and I don’t pick on reputation or name. And that goes for any area of the pitch.

“I don’t think to myself, ‘He has got X amount of appearances or experience’. I watch the training, analyse it, watch it back. I analyse the games and speak to my staff then I pick the best players on form to do the job.

“If that means a player misses out on the 11 or the 18 that’s just the way it is and the way it’s always going to be.

“Listen, no one can knock on my door and say they haven’t had a fair crack at the whip.

“Steven just needs to keep pushing, keep fighting. Keep earning the right to get an opportunity.

“Sometimes it comes down to individuals to analyse their situation and self-reflect – basically find the answers to any questions themselves.

“They need to ask themselves, ‘What do I need to do to get another opportunity?’ And then, ‘What do I need to do to take that opportunity?’”