The international break offered an opportunity for several Rangers players to go away and impress.
Steven Davis certainly did that.
Following on from a promising outing against Kilmarnock, he captained Northern Ireland to two consecutive Euro 2020 Qualifying victories.
More relevant to Steven Gerrard, though, was the standard of his individual performances.
Encouragingly, Davis looked back to his old self. He patrolled the middle of the park to great effect, dictating the tempo in both fixtures.
He dropped deep to receive the ball and sprayed passes about with precision. Yet, he also had an impact in the final third. He scored a penalty in the first game and assisted Jonny Evans’ opener in the second.
May still struggle for an Old Firm spot
Davis was part of the last Rangers team to win at Celtic Park, back in 2010.
Yet, nine years on, he’s far from a guaranteed member of the starting line-up. That seems a little strange considering the standard of his international displays. He could hardly have done more to stake a claim.
Steven Gerrard has plenty of options, though and can only pick three central midfielders.
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Glen Kamara is the incumbent at CDM, with Ross McCrorie banging on the door.
Furthermore, it would be a huge call for Gerrard to leave out either Ryan Jack or Scott Arfield, if the latter is fully fit.
Both players starred in the Old Firm win back in December. It took a long time for Rangers to discover that winning formula, so it would be a risk to mix it up.
Therefore, despite finally looking like the player Bears fans thought they were getting, Davis may have to settle for a role as a substitute, come Sunday.
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