Rodgers: I wanted Davis for Swansea

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he tried to sign Steven Davis when he was boss of Swansea.

The Celtic manager is a big admirer of the Ibrox January recruit, who has returned for a second spell with the Light Blues.

Rodgers attempted to end Davis’s first term at Ibrox by signing him for Swansea after he took the Welsh club into the Premier League.

And although that was almost eight years ago, the Parkhead boss insists the 34-year-old still has the ability shine.

Rodgers said: “I wanted to sign Steven while he was at Rangers when we got promoted to the Premier League with Swansea.

“At that time, Rangers were in a difficult moment and he was their captain and I’d seen him since he was a young player at 13-14 years of age.

“It was a difficult situation for him at the time at Rangers. He was the captain there and it probably wasn’t the right time for him to come away. But I’ve always admired him, from when he was a young player at Aston Villa, his qualities.

“He’s a very underrated footballer. He’s a Callum McGregor type. He keeps the game simple, passes, moves, can orchestrate the game.

“I’ve always liked Steven. I always recognised his qualities and he’ll be a very good signing for Rangers.”

Rangers have also signed Jermain Defoe during this window and Rodgers said: “We can only impact ourselves, although I know the two boys well, Jermain and Steven.

“Jermain when he was a young player at Charlton to West Ham and I saw him at Bournemouth at 17. His career is well documented.

“He is at the age where he wants to play. I’m sure he’s coming up to play.

“There’s no doubt he’s a proven goalscorer and he’s still very hungry to do well. I’ve only seen a bit of that but I’m sure those two boys will improve their squad.”