Rangers are in a state of flux as Philippe Clement looks to kick on from the last campaign that veered from one direction to another.
The manager knows that he has a tough job on his hands and that he needs to sell players and create space for new additions.
There are individuals in the squad who will have been told that they can find new clubs but, as the gaffer said himself, it isn’t always as easy as that with one Rangers star looking to put 2023/24 behind him.
Ben Davies hoping to make consistent Rangers presence felt
One of the most fiercely debated areas of concern is the middle of the Light Blues defence.
There are currently six senior defenders, if you include Leon King and Clinton Nsiala, who will be available for selection.
Six into two doesn’t go.
One player who is hoping to get his chance is Ben Davies.
Speaking during Rangers pre-season training camp in the Netherlands, the £4m signing from Liverpool is determined to be a more consistent presence in the upcoming campaign:
“It was only a short summer, which probably suits me in terms of getting back up to speed.
“It was only four weeks. Getting back into the rhythm is important. I want a full pre-season this year.
“The last couple of years it has been a bit up and down in terms of getting going. I think once I get going I stay pretty fit, as a rule.
“I am really focusing on the recovery, my work and just trying to get the full pre-season and getting myself in a fit position to start the season.
“We are only about halfway through pre-season so we are definitely still building towards that fitness and sharpness and concentration and things like that.
“On a personal level, and there are probably five or six lads similar to me, we are really concentrating on making sure they complete pre-season.
“If everyone has that mindset and can get through and be strong and fit to start the season then the manager has as full a squad to pick from as possible. That is a better position than last season for me personally.”
Can Davies stake a claim to start in Rangers defence?
Davies is a polarising figure amongst the Rangers support.
The 28-year old is an experienced campaigner in England’s second tier and is highly regarded south of the border.
Liverpool don’t make a habit of signing players who aren’t capable.
Davies’ perceived lack of physicality has been the biggest accusation thrown at the stopper, however, he impressed when he came into the team at the end of the season.
He also played in every Europa League game when Rangers topped the group.
Davies is the best passer of the ball out of the six players available and is one of the quickest too.
He’s not without his faults though and it has been lapses of concentration that has done for his reputation – especially in Old Firm derbies.
Philippe Clement has been loyal to players who have done well for him though and Davies’ performances will have been noted.
Both John Souttar and Leon Balogun were trusted for long periods and the manager was brave enough to drop Connor Goldson.
Against Ajax, he looked solid as the latter switched off at a quick free kick and will have done his chances of starting when the season kicks off no harm at all.
If he stays fit.
A problem that so many of the current squad have to rectify and one that Clement has taken steps to improve.
There are murmurs of interest in Davies from England, however, if he doesn’t want to leave, then he knows what he has to do.
