As Rangers defensive injury crisis deopens, the Ibrox club’s summer investment in ex-Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies has began to give a timely return.
The Gers forked out a reported £3m rising to £4m for the defender in the summer but the early part of the defender’s career was blighted by absences and injury which had the Gers threadbare defensively.
James Sands was forced to deputise throughout early season alongside Connor Goldson as Rangers ambled to the Champions League group stages and were unconvincing in the Premiership.
Injuries to new signing John Souttar and Swedish international Filip Helander have heaped the pressure on the club, with the Gers’ transfer policy coming in for scrutiny at a result.
But it was that knock to Ben Davies which most concerned Rangers fans with the Ibrox side forking out for the player in the summer and the defender coming with a big reputation.
As Davies began to get fit, there looked to be something of a strong partnership developing between the ex-Preston star and Connor Goldson and it was a stable duo fans were looking forward to seeing develop.
Rangers need Ben Davies to step up amid Goldson injury
However, the near ever-present Goldson has now been ruled out for an as-of-yet indeterminable period of months and Rangers are back down to the bare bones ahead of the World Cup run-in.
The emergence of Leon King has certainly helped but after the Liverpool game news of a potential muscle injury had Rangers fans nervous heading into a key part of the season.
But against Motherwell it was Ben Davies and not James Sands who partnered Leon King at the back and once again the big defender showed his class at Fir Park.
A confident, composed and progressive defender, not only is Ben Davies solid at the back but he can pick and play a pass and is potentially going to be a major asset for the Rangers side.
Liverpool don’t sign you if you don’t have talent, regardless of the circumstances, and just as things get a little bit drastic at Rangers the club will be happy to see their £4m investment finally begin to pay dividends.
Meanwhile, Rangers are looking at injury issues with up to 12 players in the first-team.
