1 DAY TO GO
KEVIN THOMSON starred with Steven Davis in the Rangers midfield for two full seasons – and won the league in both of them.
And he believes the Southampton midfielder – even at 34 – is capable of turning back the clock and replicating the impact he made under Walter Smith from 2008 to 2010.
Thommo, now an Ibrox youth coach, describes Northern Ireland captain Davis as “one of the finest midfield technicians I played with” and can understand the excitement Rangers fans are feeling over the possibility of a return in next month’s transfer window.
New Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has paved the way for Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard to make a move for the playmaker, who is out of contract in the summer and free to talk to interested clubs from next month.
The 105-cap Northern Ireland international is keen on a second stint in Govan after leaving for Southampton in an £800,000 deal back in 2012.
Davis spent four highly successful years at Ibrox from 2008 where he won three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, three League Cups and was also a UEFA Cup runner-up.
Thomson has no doubt he would have a huge impact on Gerrard’s side if a deal could be secured.
He said: “Steve was one of the best midfield technicians I played with. He is a great professional.
“He has never had a serious injury in his career and he trained every day.
“The hallmark of top players are that they train every day and keep their body ticking over.
“That is mainly why he has kept his consistency at the highest level for so long.
“He has amassed 105 caps for Northern Ireland and that in itself is no mean feat.
“No matter how tight or compact or competitive training was Steve would always find space to play a pass.
“He could keep a hold of the ball in a telephone box.
“Steve was just so clever. I played with him for two seasons and we won the league in both campaigns.
“Rangers boasted the likes of Steve, Pedro Mendes, Barry Ferguson and myself in the engine room – what a midfield that was!
“We had a little bit of everything and we all brought our own individual stamp to Walter’s team.
“I remember Steve in particular being a real driving force back then. Think of BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY how many clever passes he played. Steve would be the first to admit he probably never scored as many goals as he would have liked for Rangers but in terms of assists he was absolutely phenomenal.”
Following Rangers’ insolvency in 2012, Davis exercised his rights under TUPE regulations to rescind his contract and become a free agent.
But a deal was thrashed out between the clubs that saw Southampton pay £800,000 for his services.
And Thomson reckons enough time has elapsed for Davis to be welcomed back into the Rangers fold with open arms in the same way as Allan McGregor and Kyle Lafferty before him.
Thomson said: “At 34, Davis is no spring chicken now but good players always adapt to situations.
“If you are a top player at 19 you are still a top player at 34. You just find a way of coping with your surroundings.
“The Rangers fans would know exactly what they are getting with Steve.
“Although he is not in his prime he is as good as any midfielder going around right now. I look at the way the Rangers fans got excited when they brought McGregor and Lafferty back.
“Rangers supporters tend to like players who have had successful stints at the club.
“It is great to think Steve could be the next player to return.
“I have no doubt he would be able to help the current Rangers team.
“He is the kind of player Steven Gerrard would really like.
“Gerrard always bangs on about being able to trust his players and Steve is one he could trust.
“Steve has played in that cauldron before and has coped. He is brave enough to want and take the ball at all times.
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“If Rangers were struggling, Steve could always be relied upon to be the catalyst to drive the team on.
“From reading the manager’s comments in the Press and seeing the demands he is putting on his players, it strikes me that Gerrard is doing exactly the same with his Rangers players as what Walter did with us.
“If Steve can cope with the demands Walter put on his players then I am sure he would handle anything Gerrard asked of him.
“Nothing is fluffed up and the Rangers manager has admitted himself he does not speak in fancy lingo.”