Source: Team_Talk
Davis revels in central role
Steven Davis was encouraged by his outing during Rangers' 2-1 victory over Blackburn as he seeks to nail down a central role at Ibrox.[LNB] Davis was voted the Professional Footballers Association of Scotland's Player of the Year for his contribution to the club's second successive SPL title, which mostly came from a wide position.[LNB]The Northern Ireland international was forced outside by a lack of wide options but the team's most fluent period came when Davis occupied his preferred position in central midfield.[LNB]With Kevin Thomson out injured in December, Davis pulled the strings as Rangers scored 23 goals in five SPL matches.[LNB]The return of Thomson and injuries to the likes of DaMarcus Beasley meant Davis was moved back to right midfield where he continued to perform well without holding the same influence.[LNB]However, the £2million sale of Thomson to Middlesbrough gave Davis the opportunity to start inside today as first-half goals from Maurice Edu and Kenny Miller gave Rangers an impressive start to their Sydney Festival of Football campaign.[LNB]Davis and Edu lined up just ahead of Lee McCulloch with Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith utilised out wide.[LNB]Rangers manager Walter Smith has admitted he hopes to sign two wide players and a striker, meaning Davis is likely to continue in such a central role.[LNB]The former Aston Villa and Fulham player is excited at the prospect of an extended run in his favourite position.[LNB]"I enjoyed playing in the middle and I've spoken a lot since I came up to the club that I'd like to be there," Davis told www.rangersfc.co.uk.[LNB]"Hopefully I'll get my chance there this year. Last year we had a lot of players with quality who could operate in the middle but some of them have moved on.[LNB]"In turn, I'm hoping that means I might get my chance.[LNB]"Having the three of us together worked really well in the middle.[LNB]"I like to get on the ball and with Mo (Edu) and Lee doing well, I think the three of us worked as a group. Hopefully that's a good sign of things to come."[LNB]Davis set up Edu's 10th-minute headed opener with a free-kick and Naismith and Lafferty combined to set up Miller just before the end of a first-half dominated by Rangers.[LNB]Miller struck the crossbar with a penalty before David Dunn pulled one back from the spot and Rangers survived some late pressure.[LNB]Davis added: "I was pleased with how I did but the important thing at the moment for me is to be getting 90 minutes under my belt.[LNB]"The same goes for the majority of the lads really. This was only our second pre-season game but we came through it injury-free, which was good."[LNB]Smith was delighted with the midfielder's performance and content with the all-round display.[LNB]"I think Steven was excellent for us today but we had some good performances all over the park," the Ibrox boss said.[LNB]"We were pleased with the goals we scored and had a terrific delivery for the first one before Kyle Lafferty did exceptionally well to set up the second."
