Davis wants a repeat of 2011 final triumph as he eyes first trophy for Gerrard’s regime
GAVIN BERRY Tav’s relief as he ends his jinx at Hampden
STEVEN DAVIS set his sights on history repeating itself as he targets an Old Firm League Cup Final win he believes could give Rangers a boost in the title race.
The Northern Ireland captain played a key role in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Hearts as the Light Blues reached their first domestic final in three years and set up a Hampden showdown with Celtic next month.
It’s the first final clash between the arch rivals since they met in the same competition in 2011 with Davis setting Rangers on the way to an extra-time victory with the opening goal of a 2-1 win.
And the veteran midfielder, 34, hopes to turn back the clock when they meet again for the first part of a mouthwatering derby double header with the rivals due to clash at Parkhead in the final league fixture of the year.
The pair are neck and neck in the Premiership race and it was the same eight years ago when Walter Smith’s men pipped Neil Lennon’s side on the final day to win the title.
The League Cup triumph was seen as a catalyst and Davis knows the importance of victory at Hampden on December 8 as they look to end Celtic’s astonishing 30-game winning streak in domestic cup ties and stop their quadruple Treble bid. Davis was delighted with the win over the Jambos thanks to Filip Helander’s goal on the stroke of half-time before an Alfredo
Morelos sport@dailyrecord.co.uk double after the break. It ended a miserable run of five straight semi-final defeats but Davis hadn’t featured in any of those and insisted it wasn’t on the minds of any of the new boys.
Asked about that 2011 clash when Nikica Jelavic netted the winner Davis said: “It would be nice if history repeated itself.
“But it’s going to be a difficult one to predict. Both clubs have been in really good form since the start of the season and this is a game that will whet the appetite of the fans.
“Whenever it comes to a cup final, history doesn’t necessarily come into it. Naturally we’ll need to give them a certain amount of respect because of what they’ve achieved in recent years and the consistency they’ve shown but the challenge for us is to go and lift the trophy on the day. “There’s going to be a lot of pressure and it’s ultimately which group of players can deal with it best and still perform.
“I’ve never been involved in a cup final which has been comfortable, whether it’s been Celtic or anybody else.
“It’ll be a tough day but we’re hopeful we can come out on the right side of it. “I’m not too sure if the Final will have a bearing in terms of the league but of course psychologically it could give us a big boost if we were to go on and win it. “That’s the challenge for us – it’s always important to get that first trophy as a group as well. It gives you that appetite to go on and have more success. “It’s going to be intriguing to see how this season pans out. Both teams have shown a good level of consistency and there will be plenty of twists and turns before it finishes.
“That’s the challenge for us, we just need to keep trying to replicate the level of performance we showed today.
“We’re delighted to be in the Final. We haven’t achieved anything yet but it’s a step in the right direction and it’s a day we’ll certainly look forward to.
“Nobody had spoken about our poor recent record at Hampden beforehand. With this group of players it didn’t prey on anyone’s mind – we just focused on trying to get a positive result.
“Some of the lads were involved when we lost to Aberdeen last year and that run of results here hasn’t been great for the club but overall it was a really good performance from us today.”
Davis facing ex-Southampton team-mates Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounoussi is also an interesting subplot.
He said: “It’s nice to see Fraser back playing and enjoying his football after a difficult spell but hopefully on the day I’ll get bragging rights!
“Mohamed was there as well. You can see now he’s playing regularly and has a bit of confidence to get to the sort of level he was at. They are two players who are obviously a big part of Celtic’s squad.”
Gerrard revealed he is keen for Davis to extend his 12-month deal along with fellow veterans Allan McGregor and Jermain Defoe.
And the midfielder added: “We haven’t sat down and spoken about anything just yet. I haven’t given it too much thought but if those talks do happen it’ll be done quite easily I’m sure.”
BY GAVIN BERRY
JAMES TAVERNIER was delighted to finally bury his Hampden hoodoo after ending a six-game losing streak at the National Stadium to lead Rangers into the Betfred Cup Final.
The Light Blues captain suffered five successive semi-final defeats that followed defeat to Hibs in the Scottish Cup Final in a woeful run stretching back three years.
But Tavernier insists Steven Gerrard’s quality additions helped the club stroll to a 3-0 win over Hearts to set up an Old Firm clash next month.
Asked if he’d overcome a psychological barrier Tavernier said: “I believe so, especially the lads who have been here.
“The new lads were brought in to take this club to finals and they’ve done that today. We haven’t had the greatest of semi-finals since I’ve been here but a club like Rangers needs to be in finals and competing for trophies.
“Everybody wants to win a cup. The lads in that changing room all want to win a cup and be successful.
“I’ve said throughout the season this is the best team I have played in since I have been here.
“We have a good group who are well experienced. We’re delighted with the efforts we have put in today but we will focus on the Europa League and the Premiership and when the Final comes along we will concentrate on that.
“We knew at the start of the season we needed consistency and we’ve shown it so far. It’s a level of performance the boys are putting in, it’s what the gaffer demands.”
That showpiece isn’t until next month but already mind games are being played by both sets of Old Firm fans salivating over their team’s performance.
said: “If there was any doubt over Rangers being the real deal it was banished at Hampden. We wiped the floor with Hearts with the only surprise it was only by three goals.
“We were dominant from start to finish and now I can’t wait to lift the first trophy of the season.”
said: “The Old Firm are now so far ahead of the rest it was a weekend procession over the Edinburgh clubs to reach the Final. It was all too easy but Rangers were excellent and Steven Gerrard now has a side we can trust that has quality all over the park. Bring it on Celtic.”
said: “Rangers were excellent against Hearts and can now look forward to a final which that hold no fears. We have better players than Celtic and confidence flows through the side.”
said: “Special mention to James Tavernier for his superb performance against Hearts. He’s been getting stick over the last two months but I hope those critics saw him setting up the first two goals at Hampden.
“Hopefully he’ll now get back to his best in time to lift the League Cup against Celtic next month.”
said: “Celtic were
‘Special mention to Tavernier for a superb performance. He’s been getting stick but I hope the critics saw him set up two goals’
immense against Hibs. They’re playing with an attacking style the support have been crying out for.
“We’ll have no problems putting a few past Rangers to lift the League Cup on our way to another treble.”
said: “Poor regular Alfie Mullin. Every day another comment highlights his pain at Celtic winning all the trophies. Maybe we should get him shifts polishing all the silverware in Paradise.”
said: “If Neil Lennon thinks Craig Levein’s been harshly treated he should try racking up a similar record and see how the supporters feel.”
said: “Lennon took Hibs backwards and was handed a winning team at Celtic built by Brendan Rodgers. If he was put in charge at Kilmarnock or St Johnstone he’d be a flop.”
said: “At Hibs the buck stops with Paul Heckingbottom and he needs to go now. If Florian Kamberi wants to join him fair enough. A record of 18 league goals in 53 games is nowhere near a £2million price tag.
“People outside Easter Road might start understanding the sheer frustration and anger being generated towards our board of procrastinating directors.”
And finally said: “After Owen Farrell’s sarcastic smirk at the Haka it was great to watch the English get thrashed by South Africa.
“All week they were telling us not ‘if’ but ‘when’ England win the World Cup. Complacency and arrogance got them what they deserved.”
CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk