Rangers’ quest to land a major transfer target, may have just become a lot more difficult. It seems that, as suspected, Mark Hughes’ sacking has changed Steven Davis’ position at Southampton.
With the manager incumbent, Ralph Hasenhuttl, watching on in the stands, Kelvin Davis took charge of their Premier League clash with Tottenham.
The former Saints’ goalkeeper, turned coach, didn’t make wholesale changes to the team that last turned out for Hughes. However, one major decision he made may make Rangers’ transfer dealings more difficult.
Kelvin reinstated his namesake, Steven Davis, to the Southampton midfield. What’s more, not only did he come into the starting line-up, he was given the captaincy.
New developments threaten potential Rangers return
In previous seasons, this would not have seemed an out of the ordinary occurrence. However, the Northern Irishman has been frozen out this year by Hughes and has barely featured at all in the league.
His circumstances seemed to be inviting a move back to his former home, Ibrox. Yet, this latest development threatens to derail any Rangers move.
The 33-year-old is contracted until 2019, but this may have only been a minor obstacle if he was deemed surplus to requirements down south.
If he is firmly in the plans of the new coaching staff, it becomes a different matter altogether. Davis may then have a price tag that the Gers can’t match.
A greater indicator of the situation will be Hasenhuttl’s first team selection at the weekend. However, there is cause for concern.
If Davis remains as captain, Rangers may have to look elsewhere in January.
