As well as the task of improving the quality of the Rangers squad and making it one that can match the dominance of Celtic, one of Ross Wilson’s biggest jobs this summer is moving on the players who will no longer be required.
There is a natural list ready to go with several players out of contract including a mixture of veterans and those that don’t contribute anywhere near as often as their wage packet suggests that they should.
Included in this list is Steven Davis who, at 38-years old has suffered an injury that most outfield players would consider to be career ending, however, the Northern Ireland legend and Gers hall of famer has other ideas according to his international manager Michael O’Neill, as reported by The Glasgow Times:
“I speak to Steven regularly and have been to see him on a couple of occasions. I think he has a real drive to play again, that’s the most important thing.
“Steven would probably admit he has been pretty fortunate with injuries during his career. He is still playing at the top level at the age of 38, so you have to have certain things go for you. But I know deep down that he wants to come back.
“He wants to play for Rangers again and I know certainly deep down he will want to come back and play for Northern Ireland again. And that has to be his motivation.
“Hopefully we can be in a really good position in the [Euro 2024 qualifying] group, so that come September or October that heightens his motivation to get back playing again.”
There should be absolutely no sentiment involved when it comes to handing out playing contracts. He will be 39 by the time he gets fit and even then he will need a lot of games to find his rhythm and get back to his best, time that younger players could be getting to aid their development.
It is horrendous luck, and it is a massive blow for a player who has contributed so much to the club and set the standards for others to follow but, are we seriously suggesting keeping a player on the wage bill who will be lucky to play a handful of games next season?
When we are looking to cut an already bloated squad, adding Davis’s name to that of Kemar Roofe and Nnamdi Ofoborh’s just doesn’t make sense and it is a wage that could be better used elsewhere by a player who could make a difference on the pitch, not just off it.