Barry Ferguson has delivered high praise for Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, on the Record Rangers Podcast.
Both players arrived at Ibrox on loan deals from Premier League clubs, in January.
Initially, short of match fitness, neither player made much of an impact, with £2.7m-rated Davis [Transfermarkt] struggling in particular. At that time, they were only being afforded substitute appearances and looked well off the pace.
Over the last month or so, though, they have become vital cogs in the team, playing every game of Rangers’ five-match winning streak.
“He might look back and think that was a mistake that he didn’t go with the two of them,” speculated Ferguson on the Record Rangers Podcast, when asked if Steven Gerrard would regret not starting both players immediately.
“But, you see now, the quality those two players bring to that time. I think they make a hell of a difference.”
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Ferguson went on to single Davis out for more individual praise.
“He runs games of football, he dictates the tempo of the game. I’m delighted to see that he’s signed a 12-month contract.”
“For me, he will be the most important signing for Rangers.”
Verdict
Players turned pundits like Ferguson and Lee McCulloch have always known the extent of Davis’ quality, having played alongside him during his first stint at Ibrox.
On Sunday, he put in one of his best displays yet, in the 1-0 win over Hibernian.
For all the nice build-up, though, it’s vital the Gers at the top end of the pitch who can stick away chances. Jermain Defoe is doing that right now, and these two January swoops are belatedly proving to be masterstrokes.
In terms of whether or not Davis will be Rangers’ most important signing? I agree.
