It’s here. What football fans all over Europe have been waiting for, the January transfer window.
Its that time of year when you hope your side can capture the signature of that one player who will make all the difference, we Rangers supporters are no different.
So to get you all in the transfer mood I have picked out the best of Rangers’ winter transfer business, and over the next two days I will present them to you.
Enjoy the links at the end.
PART 5.
STEVEN DAVIS: JANUARY 2008
This was a steal of a deal from the word go. Steven Davis signed on a six month loan deal on the January of 2008, from Fulham. This was one of Rangers’ chief scout Ewan Chester’s best finds, having previously worked at Fulham between two spells at Ibrox.
Davis started his career at Aston Villa, making his debut in 2004. The following season saw the Northern Irishman not just cement his place as first-team regular but in also winning Young Player of the Year, Fans’ Player of the Year, and the Club’s Player of the Year, a quite remarkable feat, showing just how much talent he possesses.
Despite being a regular in the Villa side for over 3 seasons, Aston Villa decided to cash in on their asset, moving him to Fulham for a fee of around £4 million in the summer of 2007.
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Despite a promising start and his former international manager at the helm, Davis could never really hold down a regular place in the Fulham side, Lawrie Sanchez preferring Danny Murphy, Simon Davis and Clint Dempsey in the centre midfield roles.
The writing was on the wall after only 6 short months, when Roy Hodgson was appointed Sanchez’s successor in December, Davis knew his playing time would be severely limited and so he started looking for alternatives.
Rangers didn’t need to sell the club to Davis he had supported the club since a boy, so an initial six-month long deal was agreed.
I don’t recall much fanfare at the time, and other than having seen him on TV on a number of occasions in the Premiership or when representing Northern Ireland, not too much was known what he would he would bring to the side.
Davis made his Rangers debut in the UEFA Cup match with Panathinaikos, wearing the number 35 shirt I recall, but it was his display that really got the fans thinking we had a player on our hands. His work rate and eye for a pass were evident from the first minute.
His first goal for Rangers came in a clash in the same competition, this time against German side Werder Bremen, a night opposition keeper, now WWE star Tim Wiese will want to forget, gifting the Gers two goals. Steven Davis was simply flawless that night, a performance I still believe was his finest in a Rangers shirt.
The talk soon after Davies’ arrival was just how could Rangers hold onto him beyond the initial loan spell. Fulham were willing sellers and a fee of £3 million was agreed.
The rest they say is history, after 4 years and 3 titles wins. Davies would also captain the Ibrox side, after the departure of Davie Weir.
Davies left in 2012 after the club’s administration, demotion and treatment at the hands of the football authorities, but he remains a firm fan favourite and one that will always be welcome back at Ibrox.
Let me know your thoughts.
@steven_harrigan @rangersnewsuk