Rangers boss Michael Beale has praised defender Ben Davies after his performance in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone on Saturday.
Michael Beale needed a win following the international break and got just what he wanted.
Danilo opened the scoring for Rangers, heading home James Tavernier’s cross whilst taking an ugly blow to the head.
This wasn’t vintage Rangers but a second goal did eventually come through Rabbi Matondo.
The Welshman raced behind the St Johnstone defence before slotting home, sending Rangers away with all three points.
Michael Beale ‘pleased’ for Ben Davies
There was something of a surprise in the starting lineup as Beale went with Ben Davies in the Rangers back line.
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Davies hadn’t played a single minute for Rangers this season before being partnering Connor Goldson in the heart of defence.
The former Liverpool man helped Rangers keep a clean sheet though and has now received praise from boss Beale.
Beale told Rangers Review that he was ‘really pleased’ for Davies as he came into the side and helped shut St Johnstone out.
Beale also praised Tom Lawrence and Kemar Roofe but his comments about Davies are particularly interesting.
“Well done to Tom Lawrence. Straight back in, first 90 minutes in a long time and it was good for Kemar Roofe to get 90 minutes. I was really pleased for Ben Davies as well that’s our third clean sheet in nine league games,” said Beale. “It’s a step in the right direction, there were moments I was really happy with and others we’ve got to work on. St Johnstone never makes it easy here.
Davies future at Rangers remains unclear
Some wondered if Davies was finished at Rangers having been left on the bench in the early weeks of the season.
Stoke City were keen to sign Davies before the transfer deadline but had a late loan bid rejected.
Rangers allegedly made Davies surplus to requirements and were keen to move him on in order to sign Leicester City defender Harry Souttar.
Those moves just didn’t materialise though and Beale has seemingly decided that he is better off reintegrating Davies into the starting XI rather than leaving him out entirely.
Whether this means that Davies is secure at Rangers remains to be seen though, with the Gers potentially still open to a 2024 deal.