When Ally McCoist was Rangers manager he had to rely on his own contacts, agents and his knowledge of the Scottish game when he was trying to build a squad capable of working it’s way back up the divisions, some signings were more successful than others and some will never be forgotten – for all the wrong reasons.
There were also some that got away, players that didn’t fancy signing up for “the journey” and preferred to stay at clubs that were higher up the leagues but significantly lower in stature.
One such player was Scotland cap Murray Davidson who, when he was 24-years old was heavily touted for a move to Rangers, however, he turned us down and now, at 33, has explained why, as told to the Dogger Saints podcast:
“I spoke to a few clubs. Rangers was the one that was pretty open. Again, it came to the stage where I felt I was at the age where it was a big stage in my career.
“For a couple of different reasons I just didn’t feel it was right. I looked here, I looked there. I just didn’t get that 100 per cent right feeling.
“When I signed for St Johnstone I thought ‘that’s where I want to stay’.
“I didn’t get that with any of the clubs I spoke to. I phoned Tommy and said ‘Is the contract offer still there? I’m settled in Perth, I enjoy it and I’m comfortable in the environment’.
“I just didn’t want to give that up. I didn’t feel it was right.”
Every player is different, look at Lee Wallace and Lee McCulloch and the contributions they made to the club, dropping down the pyramid was never going to be for everyone but Davidson gives a fascinating insight into why it wasn’t for him.
You can see the players that get into a comfort zone at a club, where – outside of the Old Firm – there are no real expectations to win every week and where fans will love you purely for trying hard.
At the time, Davidson would have been a decent acquisition but injuries stunted his progress from being a potential regular in the Scotland squad to a respected SPFL player, there is, of course, no shame in that.
We all know that it takes more than just talent to be a Rangers player and, perhaps, this is why we haven’t gone for similar players in the past, they just don’t have the mentality needed to be a success for The Famous.