Former England international, Paul Robinson, has hailed Steven Davis’ performance against Hearts on Sunday as a “midfield masterclass” as the 34-year-old continues to demonstrate his importance to the Light Blues.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Robinson went on to explain why he feels the Northern Irishman has been so important to Rangers.
So what did Robinson say?
The ex-Premier League goalkeeper said of Davis’ display against the Jam Tarts:
“The attackers will always get the headlines in a 5-0 win, but he was a lynchpin in midfield”.
“His vision, his ability to pick passes and his display against Hearts…I thought it was a midfield masterclass”.
“I think for him at 34-years-old to be churning performances out like that says it all, I don’t think it’s a one-off either, I’ve seen him a few times this season”.
“I think he struggled when he first arrived in January with his match fitness, now he’s playing regularly, we’re seeing the best of him”.
“I think he is the lynchpin in midfield, his vision, his ability to pick passes and I think he sets the tempo for this Rangers team”.
“There have been questions about his age, whether he can cope with playing so many games due to the Europa League, he has played 28 games this season for club and country, so the amount of games isn’t a problem for him”.
“Especially with him churning out performances like he did at the weekend”.
So is Robinson correct?
Davis has been in tremendous form all season and Robinson is correct, he is the one who dictates the tempo for the Ibrox side either through collecting passes in deep-lying positions from the centre-halves or by probing the defence with through balls and passes over the top in the final third.
His ability to switch the play to either full-back is key to how Rangers play, with Borna Barisic on 10 assists and James Tavernier on 11, it shows how important given ghtem decent service is and Davis is frequently the one to pick them out when they are in space.
Much has been made of Ryan Jack’s form but Davis, playing in the deeper role, allows Jack to affect the game in higher areas of the park by either winning back possession or to be involved in Rangers attacks without the same pressure to worry about defending.
Davis has always been a “model professional” and his fitness and mobility have always been an asset, he still remains sharp and although his style of play may have changed, his years playing in the Premier League competing against some of the best midfielders in the world have ultimately paid dividends, he is, arguably, a better player now than he was in his first spell at the club despite his advancing years.
Is Steven Davis a better player now or during his first spell at Rangers?
First spell
Present
As with the signing of Jermain Defoe, once Steven Gerrard worked out how and where to play him, he has been a hugely influential player at Ibrox, those who doubted signing players towards the end of their careers are being proven wrong on a weekly basis – much to the delight of the Gers faithful.