There was one glaring difference between Rangers and Celtic at the weekend and it was in a position that three managers have now ignored during numerous transfer windows after relying on Steven Davis.
The failure to replace the Northern Ireland legend as a tempo midfielder or defensive midfielder has been negligent and playing Ryan Jack and John Lundstram as square pegs in round holes can’t be a consideration moving forwards.
In recent windows Rangers have been linked with plenty, however, it now has to be a priority position transfer after the display at Ibrox on Sunday with a Steven Davis prototype the perfect model.
Rangers midfield problems since Steven Davis decline
Jack and Lundstram are both into the last year of their respective contracts and neither should be offered extensions.
Not only are they into their 30s with no sell on value but they simply aren’t capable of doing the job that is demanded of them.
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Peak Steven Davis could cover full backs and centre halves but he could also control the pace of a game and dictate play from the middle of the park.
At the moment, whoever plays in the central midfield role has to take three or four touches before deciding to release it and even then, it is usually sideways or, even worse, back to the centre halves.
Players like Eric Martel and Dejan Ljubicic were available and cheaper than Nikolas Raskin, Todd Cantwell and Jose Cifuentes, they are now starring in the Bundesliga.
Paul Akouokou was mentioned last summer but he has just signed for Lyon on deadline day for around £2.5m.
When you look, grudgingly, at the role Callum McGregor plays for Celtic, we simply don’t have anyone remotely capable of doing the same.
Rangers need to stop putting square pegs in round holes and find someone who can, using Steven Davis as the template.