LIVE
...

Follow us on

Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

News

‘When he plays, Rangers play’: Former Ibrox scout names his greatest signing

Adam Miller
Adam Miller

Former Rangers scout Ewan Chester has named Steven Davis his greatest ever signing.

Chester was around for much of the 9-in-a-row era, during a time when the likes of Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne and Jorg Albertz were brought to Ibrox.

Davis, however, has been singled out as his top acquisition.

The midfielder has been a success across two spells at the club, having arrived on loan from Fulham in January 2008.

He went on to make 211 appearances for the club in his first spell, winning three league titles and five cups as well as reaching the UEFA Cup Final.

The Northern Irishman left for Southampton in July 2012, but found his way back to Ibrox in January 2019.

He’s been a key part of Steven Gerrard’s title triumph, and will be a strong contender for the club’s Player of the Year at the age of 36.

Speaking on , Chester said: “The absolute best signing was Steven Davis.

“I was at Fulham and I came back to Rangers. Walter Smith said to me ‘We need to get some energy, some legs into midfield.’

“It came to January, and I said ‘Steven Davis.’

“Walter said ‘I know him, but I don’t know him.’ And I said ‘If he doesn’t do it, sack me’.

“So the gaffer says sure, and I was sure. I went back to when Steven played against us at Fulham for Aston Villa.

“And Chris Coleman was the manager, he raved about him on the Monday morning. It was a strange one, he’d come to Fulham, Chris was replaced with Lawrie Sanchez who was previously the Northern Ireland manager, and yet he wasn’t playing Steve Davis.

“Obviously I still had close contact with Fulham and the chief exec David McNally.

“I phoned David, I phoned Steven’s agent, and he was at Rangers by the end of the week.

“I take great pleasure in watching him now. He’s a super professional and I think he’s been absolutely key.

“I think in many respects, when Steven Davis plays, Rangers play.”