STEVEN Davis may not have reached the heights synonymous with his first spell in light blue since returning in January, but he has no doubts he can, particularly if he is still around next season.
The veteran midfielder, currently on loan at Ibrox from Southampton, would dearly love that to be the case, and he hopes to strengthen his case by earning a start against Celtic this afternoon.
“We’ve spoken and we’ll see what happens between now and the end of the season, then take it from there,” Davis said.
“I’d like to be here [next season]. I came here to try and win some silverware this season. The cup competitions have gone and now only the league is left with a big gap between us, so it’s going to be difficult. But, of course, we want to bring the good times back.
“I’ve enjoyed being back. I’m a little frustrated about many not making the impact I feel I should be and not getting the game time. But hopefully with getting three ninety minutes within the last eight days, it will take me a step closer to where I want to be.
“It’s hard to replicate in training what you get in game, so three games in quick succession will do me the world of good.
“It’s a great club to be involved with. In many ways it has felt as if I’ve never been away. The surroundings haven’t changed too much and there are still staff and some players I know.”
Winning against Celtic at Ibrox was a new experience for most of the Rangers players who managed the feat back in December, never mind winning at the home of their city rivals.
One man who does know what it takes to triumph there is Davis, and the Northern Irishman is hoping it might lead to him being handed a jersey this lunchtime.
“Obviously it’s one of the best fixtures in the world to be involved in, a bit difficult to enjoy at times when you are in it,” he said.
“It’s not until after the game, if you’ve got the right result, that you can take it in. Maybe if you’ve got a cushion you can enjoy it.
“There are certain games that come to mind that are particularly special, the last couple of games at home in that final season of mine spring to mind. The [2011 League] Cup Final as well, though that was a difficult one to enjoy because it went to extra time obviously. So there’s some good memories, some not so good from the fixtures.
“It’s a million miles an hour at times and you can get caught up in the emotion of it. They are great games to be involved in and I’m looking forward to it.
“The last win at Celtic Park was in 2010, any time is a good time to end that run now because it’s been too long. It’s up to us to go and get rid of that.”
So, how exactly do Rangers go about that?
“It’s up to us to go and perform, make sure we get the result,” he said. “To win at Celtic Park, you need to go with a game plan, be well organised.
“You’ve got to accept sometimes that Celtic might have a little bit of possession but looking back to the game I wasn’t here earlier on in the season at Parkhead, I think we probably sat off them too much.
“In the home game in the reverse fixture we got in their faces a lot more and stopped them starting attacks and playing out from the back. So that was the key factor in us winning the game at Ibrox.
“It’s about getting that balance right away from home. Sometimes it’s easier at home to play on the front foot and higher up the pitch because you’ve got the crowd and the energy you get from that behind the game.
“We’ve got a decent mixture now of people who’ve played in the fixture, experienced it, to know what to expect.
“I don’t know if that strengthens my case for being involved, it’s up to the manager. But obviously I am desperate to play in the fixture.”
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