HE’S IMPERFECT 10 BUT TOP PRO
THERE may have been an argument about the best position for Steven Davis since his Rangers return but Eric Black reckons the importance of his role at the club shouldn’t be up for debate.
The Aberdeen legend worked up close with Davis at Southampton and rates the midfielder as one of the best pros he has ever seen.
It’s taken the Northern Ireland star some time to get back in to the swing at Ibrox with Steven Gerrard struggling to find a spot that suits him.
The 34-year-old is on loan from St Mary’s until the end of the season but Black is convinced Gers would be daft not to keep him around for next term.
He said: “Steven is a phenomenal example to younger players. Every day at Southampton he was the first one in the gym.
“He would be the first out to the training pitch and the last one off.
“You could speak to him individually about any problems in the dressing room or whatever.
“People will say Steven is not a leader because he is not that vocal but he’s a leader through his actions. He had a huge influence at Southampton.”
It’s not just off the pitch Davis plays a leading role. The playmaker has made an impact in recent weeks in a deeper role and Black isn’t surprised.
He doesn’t see Davis as a No.10 – but when it comes to being part of a team he is 10 out of 10.
Black said: “People might now be saying that he has not done this or that, but Steven was never really a number 10.
“He is not going to give you five final passes and score 18 goals in a season. That’s not him. But what he will do is have a massive influence on your team in terms of keeping the ball.
“We played him at Southampton in a three at times. He is not going to get up to people and take the ball away from them.
“He is physically not big, quick or strong enough to be that aggressive kind of player. But tactically he’s brilliant and selfless.”
Davis might be in the twilight of his career but Black has no doubts there is plenty left in the tank.
Now he just needs game time having spent most of his second spell on the bench but started the 3-0 wins against Hearts and Motherwell.
He said: “Steven is one of the best professionals I have ever worked with. He has a rigid programme and is very conscious of how he lives his life.
“It’s about maximising how he performs. The only problem is a lack of game time. The older you get the harder it becomes.”