Gers boss needs Davis 2.0 for key tactical role: Opinion

25/04/2024 19:30

Philippe Clement arrived at Rangers knowing that there was a lot of work that needed to be done, not expecting to have as much success as quickly as he has.

The manager has seen a significant improvement in players like Cyriel Dessers, Ridvan Yilmaz and Leon Balogun, but will need to add more quality to his squad during the summer.

Part of the problem is the balance that Philippe Clement has inherited and needs to fill one key role in particular.

READ MORE: All Philippe Clement Rangers signings made since 2024

Philippe Clement needs to find new Steven Davis for Rangers

There are a few positions that don't make much sense.

Michael Bealepaid £3m for Sam Lammers to be a number 10 with Todd Cantwell coming off the back of a season where he had been our best player in the role, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi and Alex Lowry.

The last thing Rangers needed was a number 10.

Then, there are the wingers.

Ryan Kent left at the end of his contract and Fashion Sakala was sold for a reported £4m, neither were replaced.

When Abdallah Sima first arrived, he was getting played alongside Dessers.

Not only did Rangers not sign any wingers, the squad was left no left-footed attackers in it.

Add this to the numerous players who are out of contract and you can see why Philppe Clement isn't happy.

Rangers need to stop putting square pegs in round holes

John Lundstram has never been a number six, defensive midfielder or deep-lying playmaker, whatever you want to call it.

It would be no different to sticking him at right-back and expecting him to do a job.

Rangers should never be putting square pegs into round holes given the size of our wage bill and this is exactly what Lundstram is.

If anything, it is probably the most important role at Rangers.

Against teams with a low block, they need to be able to move the ball quickly and break down stubborn defences.

In more open games, they need to be able to dictate the tempo, control possession and put out fires.

Steven Davis is the standard Rangers should be looking for, there are already enough hybrid midfielders who are jack of all but the master of none of the positions they claim to play.