Davis knows Rangers can afford no more title slip-ups
Steven Davis has urged his team-mates to put their Champions League woes behind them, and put pressure on Celtic at the top of the Premiership.
The Hoops required a late surge at home to overcome Dundee United and extend their lead at t he top of the Premiership to seven points.
So the Light Blues can’t afford any slip-ups at St Johnstone this afternoon, and Davis knows there’s no margin for error.
“There is a lot we can improve on,” he said.
“We know we are capable of better at times. It’s about doing it consistently.
“After a defeat, you want a game as quickly as possible. St Johnstone gives us that opportunity, and we need to go and show the same level as we did against Aberdeen.
“If we do that, we will give ourselves a good chance to get back to winning ways. We’ve three really important games before the break.
“Everybody is concentrating on trying to do that – and it starts now.
“It’s important we get through to the break, and we have some key players coming back.”
Everyone at Rangers seems to be agreed on one thing – they have to do better.
A disastrous Champions League campaign and some indifferent domestic performances have led to supporters questioning if the club is heading in the right direction.
The lengthy injury list at Ibrox can reasonably be used in mitigation, and the title is still very much up for grabs.
But nobody in light blue is looking to make excuses.
Steven Davis, the oldest outfield player on the books, has been around long enough to know when things aren’t going right.
He’ll only be happy if the squad learn from their recent struggles, and make sure they take maximum points between now and the World Cup break.
That unbeaten mission starts today with a tricky mid-day clash at St Johnstone.
It comes after the bruising 3-1 defeat by Ajax that saw Rangers acquire the unwanted tag as the worst side in the history of Champions League group games.
Davis, 37, said: “There is a lot we can improve on. We know we are capable of better at times. It’s about doing it consistently.
“After a defeat, you want a game as quickly as possible.
“St Johnstone gives us that opportunity, and we need to go and show the same level as we did against Aberdeen.
“If we do that, we will give ourselves a good chance to get back to winning ways.
“We’ve three really important games before the break. Everybody is concentrating on trying to do that – and it starts now. It’s important we get through to the break, and we have some key players coming back.
“We have been very unfortunate with the injuries we have had to key players.
“There is no hiding from
that, and we will be stronger once they are back. When you come off the back of a defeat, everybody is hurting.
“There are certain aspects that it affects the team and the team’s confidence.
“That’s always the case. But there is a lot we can learn from this level, and a lot we can improve on. That’s what we need to look at going forward.”
It might not seem like it right now, but 18-year-old Leon King being thrown in to Champions League games in the absence of Connor Goldson could speed up the young defender’s progress.
Davis went on: “It’s difficult to take positives from Europe right now. But, of course, it’s great that Leon has had this experience at such a young age, playing in such a key position within the team too.
“He was playing development football a year ago, so he can take positives from it.
“That will go for some of the other younger players who have picked up experience at this level.
“But we are all disappointed because we were desperate to get to this level.
“Once we reflect on it – and identify what we need to improve – then we need to park it. Domestic football is now the priority.”
Scott Wright got his first taste
of Champions League football this season.
The former Aberdeen attacker is now 25, but is adamant his best years are still to come.
He said: “It’s a hungry changing room, and it’s full of great professionals who are always there to push you on individually, and as a team.
“It’s the place I want to be. I feel I’ll always be learning.”
When it comes to great professionals, Andy Considine is a name that quickly springs to mind. The 35-year-old is now with St Johnstone after an 18-year spell with Aberdeen.
Wright will be doing his best to make sure his old teammate doesn’t help Saints get their third consecutive win, but acknowledges the debt he owes the defender.
He said: “Andy was in the first team at Aberdeen when I started to break through.
“He was a local lad as well, and was great with me, in terms of looking after me when I was
first there. That’s so important for the younger boys.
“He’s a great professional and looks after himself. It’s no surprise to me he’s still playing at the age he is. I’m sure he’ll be able to play on for a few more years.
“But my main focus is just to help Rangers get three points.
“Every game’s a challenge, whether it’s Ajax at home or St Johnstone away.
“We treat each game with the equal amount of respect.”