THE MEN IN THE IRON MASK
Davis: With Celtic going for 10, does it ramp up the pressure? There’s always pressure playing for Rangers, no matter what scenario you’re in.
STEVEN DAVIS insists Rangers are under no extra pre-season pressure as they plot to stop their greatest rivals making history.
Pundits and former players have ramped up the importance of this term as Steven Gerrard’s side face the prospect of Celtic sealing and unprecedented 10 titles in a row.
Ex-Celtic star Paul Lambert reckons the Ibrox boss and his players face horrendous pressure, while Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton says Gerrard must stop coming up with excuses and finally deliver a trophy after coming up short for two seasons running
But the 35-year-old Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder is playing down the extra significance of the campaign. As he prepared for the Light Blues’ first pre-season game against Lyon at the Groupama Stadium tonight, Davis said: “As a more experienced player it’s part of your job to help guide the younger players.
“But there is a real desire to have success here. We have to learn from the mistakes of last season.
“Our main focus right now is to be ready for that first league game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. That’s going to be difficult but we’re looking forward to it.
“With Celtic going for 10, does it ramp up the pressure? There’s always pressure playing for Rangers, no matter what scenario you’re in.
“The fans will be desperate for us to win it but they were desperate last season too. It comes with the territory.
“We all know the importance of this season for the club, for the history of the club, everything that goes with it.
“It’s hard to differentiate between titles because at the time each one is the most important.
“I wouldn’t swap the memories I have from my previous spell here but we know the importance of this season to everyone at the club.”
Davis finished last year on top form, culminating in one of his best performances for the club in a 2-1 victory over Celtic at Parkhead.
But like so many team-mates, his form dipped after the winter break as Gerrard’s title challenge fell apart.
He will have a fight to hold
down a regular midfield spot up against Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Scott Arfield, Joe Aribo and new boy Ianis Hagi.
But Davis says he’s fit enough to compete and is gearing himself up for a slog of a season – kicking off at Aberdeen on August 1.
He said: “I’m ready for a hectic schedule. I want to be involved in the maximum number of games this season.
“If we’re playing all of those fixtures it means the team are doing something right. And I want to be involved as often as possible.
“Over the past couple of years the squad has got used to it. With the condensed season we might be looking at even more games this year. But that’s something we’ll relish and take head on.
“The manager will want to add
more quality to get more competition for places.
“When new players come in it always adds a freshness. We’ve got a couple in already and I’m sure they will add a few more. It’s all leading to that first game of the season and we want to start well.
“It’s going to be strange going to Pittodrie with no fans there. We’ll need to adjust mentally and focus.
“We need to be ready when the first whistle blows and I guess we won’t know until then how much the emotion of the crowd plays in the game.
“The actions and reactions within the game might be different.”
Davis wasn’t at Ibrox when Rangers defeated Lyon 3-0 in the Champions League back in 2007 but he knows the city and stadium well.
He was part of the Northern Irish side that beat Ukraine there at the
Euro 2016 finals. He said: “I’ve very fond memories of Lyon. It was a great experience and we got a massive result in this stadium. It will be nice to go back.
“It’s a great arena to play in and it will be a good test.”
Meanwhile, Lyon boss Rudi Garcia believes the Old Firm will provide the ideal test for his side ahead of the new Ligue 1 campaign.
The OL gaffer can’t wait to lock horns with Rangers manager Gerrard tonight in their first Veoila Trophy match.
Garcia, who is still getting the likes of skipper Memphis Depay and ex-Arsenal ace Jeff Reine Adelaide up to full fitness, is delighted that both Glasgow clubs have made the pre-season trip to France.
Ahead of their clash with Gers, Garcia said: “I’m really happy that we’re playing two strong Scottish teams in Rangers and Celtic
because we need to perform at a high level and we want to give everything in these games.
“The aim for us is to be well prepared for these matches, especially for the latter part of the games.
“We want to test ourselves against Rangers and Celtic because we are now in the final stretch of our preparations.
“Depay and Adelaide need game time but we have a little uncertainty over Tino Kadawere and Maxwel Cornet.
“The squad has worked well so far and put a lot of intensity into their training.”
LYON had planned to allow just 5,000 member supporters to attend the matches against Rangers and Celtic, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
But those fans have now decided to give up their seats to French nurses who have been battling the pandemic.
A statement from Lyon’s supporters’ group said: “It seems logical to us that the tickets could benefit those who have gone through painful moments.”