Steven Davis 2.0? 7 players who could become the heirs of the Rangers legend

Replacing a club legend is never easy. Glasgow Rangers they find this out the hard way because they have failed to adequately replace the icons after they leave the club.

Alfredo Morelos left in 2023 and since then the Ibrox team has not had a goalscorer like him. Hamza Igamane can buck that trend, but he is still far from repeating Morelos’ exploits in front of goal.

It’s safe to say the Light Blues haven’t had a centre-back as good as David Weir since he retired in 2012, and perhaps only Connor Goldson comes close, but even then, most fans would probably prefer the Scot.

One player who contributed to the club’s success in two separate periods was Steven Davis. The Northern Irishman played in two UEFA Cup/Europa League finals, while winning four championships and several domestic cups.

He retired in January 2024 after struggling to return to full fitness following a serious injury sustained a year earlier. In truth, the club haven’t had anyone like him in the squad since he played his last game for the Gers.

With that in mind, we took a look at those who could possibly be the next Davis for the club.

Among those on the list are players currently at the club, either in the senior team or the B team, players who have been linked with a move to Ibrox, along with a few surprise picks.

1

Isaac Price

Standard Liege

Northern Irish. Midfielder. Able to contribute defensively and forward. If anyone fits the bill to replace Davis, it’s Isaac Price.

The young man is currently working in Belgium for Standard Liege, but the Light Blues were associated with the creation of potential run for him this January.

According to Sofascore, Price created five big chances at home, he averages 1.1 key passes per game and succeeds on 44% of his dribbles, echoing Davis between 2008 and 2011, who liked to shoot forward often.

The midfielder has 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 attempts and wins a league-leading average of 5 tackles per game, demonstrating he can be effective off the ball – traits Davis has displayed throughout his later years.

Could he be the perfect player to finally fill the void left by the Rangers legend? Only time will tell.

2

Marko Soldo

Osijek

Marko Soldo is another midfielder which is connected with a move to Glasgow as Philippe Clement looks to bolster his options in midfield.

Content creator Kai Watson profiled player a few months before linking up with the Gers, saying: “Marko Soldo can play from a defensive six to an attacking eight.

“He has mostly played deeper for Osijek so far this season. His strengths allow him to be versatile in the role he takes on in midfield.”

This flexibility in midfield could see the Croatian starlet shine in the heart of the pitch for the Light Blues, with her skills clearly similar to Davis’.

Four goals and four assists in the Croatian first league this season, he proves that he likes to break forward into the final third as often as possible.

Soldo is not shy in defense either. He averages 3.5 rebounds per game at home, while he has 1.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and won 5.4 tackles per game for his club, indicating that he is a player Clement needs as soon as possible. bring to Scotland.

A lot will depend on the budget given to the manager this month, especially with the financial problems surrounding the club, but signing players like Soldo and developing them into top-class talents will see them earn a solid income down the road.

3

Josip Mišić

Dinamo Zagreb

Croatian midfielder Josip Mišić may not be officially on the Rangers’ radar, but he fits Davis’ necessary skill set.

Indeed, during the 2021/22 Europa League season, the 30-year-old, according to FBref, was eighth-most comparable player to Davis, who played in his second European final for the Gers.

Davis and Mišić registered similar statistics in a host of metrics at 90, including shots (0.74 vs. 0.92), pass success rate (87.8% vs. 84.2%), shot-making actions (1.37 vs. 1.96) and touches in middle third (252 versus 292) in second place in Europe ranking of club competition.

Judging by these stats, Misic might have even been a good player to sign a few years ago in preparation for Davis’ retirement, especially considering he fits the bill when comparing the two.

4

Leon Belcar

Varaždin

More transfer target who could in the new Davis for Rangers another Croatian midfielder: Leon Belcar.

President of Varažde claims no official offers they are made for the player, but an offer of around €700,000 (£580,000) may be needed to secure his signature, which seems quite realistic and within the club’s current budget, especially if several first-team members are sold during the winter window.

At 23, Belcar is at the perfect age to join a club like Rangers, where he will experience European football on a regular basis.

In the Croatian top, Belcar an average of 1.4 fights1.1 interceptions and won a total of 4.4 tackles per game – a success rate of 58% – which shows how effective he is off the ball in the heart of midfield.

Towards the end of his career, Davis dropped deeper and deeper, making up for his lack of pace by using his excellent vision and improved defensive skills.

With three goals in the Croatian top flight, Belcar certainly does not shy away from the attacking side of the game, but it seems that his best position is defensive midfielder.

From a financial point of view, a deal to sign the 23-year-old makes perfect sense, especially since he could still improve significantly.

5

Hidemasa Morita

Sporting CP

Like Mišić, Hidemasa Morita showed similar traits to Davis when compared to him in a certain competition.

The Japanese national team player with 39 games is arguably the best player on this list considering the level he’s been playing at, meaning the Light Blues may have less chance of signing him.

During the 2022/23 Champions League, Morita was the most comparable player Davis. In a range of metrics, the duo recorded similar statistics in the contest, including pass success rate (79.8% vs. 77.9%), shot creation actions (2 vs. 4), aerial duels won (both vs. 4) and touches (131 vs. 181).

Rangers were knocked out in the group stage after suffering six defeats in their six matches, scoring just two goals in the process. Sporting CP finished in the Europa League that season after finishing third in their group.

Finding the right successor to Davis proved more difficult than expected. Can this transfer window provide an answer for the board and the manager, or is there a player in the current Ibrox line-up who can take the next step and become an icon in Glasgow? Only time will tell.

6

Bailey Rice

Rangers

While the three midfielders mentioned above offer similar qualities to Davis, could Clement have the ideal successor to Davis in front of his nose?

Bailey Rice is one of the brightest young talents at Ibrox and perhaps should have seen more time on the pitch for the senior team since Clement took over in October 2023.

Rice joined from Motherwell in 2022, with the Gers beating a host of clubs to his signature, and he made his senior debut under Michael Beale aged just 16 years and four months, becoming the second youngest player ever appear in a Rangers game.

Only two more first-team opportunities have come since then, but his ability to protect the back four while making decisive passes in the final third means Rice has shades of Davis in him.

Still only 18, Rice has all the talent in the world to succeed Davis in the heart of the Rangers midfield.

7

Nico Raskin

Rangers

If there is anyone on the current team who could be Davis’ successor, Nico Raskin is surely the best candidate.

One of the reasons the Light Blues have struggled against Celtic in recent years is their inability to control the midfield, and Davis is a master at that.

During the 3-0 triumph at the Old Firm at the start of the year, Raskin was handed the captain’s armband and put in a performance the Northern Irishman would have been proud of.

During the game, the Belgian made two key passeswon 60% of his tackles on the ground and made three tackles, showing his dogged nature as he never allowed Celtic’s midfield to settle at Ibrox.

It was a true display from the captain, and if he can maintain this current form until the summer, the Ibrox side may have to brace themselves for a few offers coming their way. Hang on to him, though, and they could have a midfielder for years to come.