Source: Team_Talk
Gers deserve some credit - Davis
Steven Davis has refuted any suggestions that Manchester United under-estimated Rangers and insists they should deserve credit for drawing.[LNB] United had been overwhelming favourites to win the Champions League Group C opener comfortably but found themselves frustrated by a staunch defensive display from their visitors as the match ended goalless.[LNB]Some may point to Sir Alex Ferguson's team selection on the night as one reason for the result, after making 10 changes from the side which drew with Everton at the weekend.[LNB]Davis admits the team-sheet did raise a few eyebrows but, with a side boasting the captains of both England and Scotland - Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher - and with PFA Player of the Year Wayne Rooney back in the side, the midfielder believes Rangers still faced a formidable opponent.[LNB]He said: "I think everybody was surprised when they saw the team.[LNB]"We went over their team before the game and it was a different team that played on the night but they have top, top players no matter who plays for them.[LNB]"I don't think they did underestimate us. They have a squad full of international players and we were delighted to get a result against them.[LNB]"We are just happy to come away with the draw. It was a really good team performance defensively and hopefully we can build on that now."[LNB]The financial gulf between the two clubs means Rangers were rank outsiders ahead of the all-British encounter.[LNB]"I think we definitely surprised quite a few people," said Davis.[LNB]"I don't think anybody really gave us any chance of getting any kind of result here. One through to 11, and the players who came on, everyone did their job and it was a real team effort.[LNB]"We frustrated them in the end and we are happy we managed to get the draw."[LNB]Rather than their usual 4-5-1 European formation, Rangers strung five players across the defence and Davis believes boss Walter Smith deserves credit for being spot on with his tactics to frustrate United.[LNB]"The manager changed the shape of the team and it worked for us and we are delighted," he said.[LNB]"They obviously had a lot of possession but everybody in our team worked their socks off to get the result and it was well worth it for us."[LNB]Home form let Rangers down as they finished bottom of their group without a single win last year, having shipped four goals against both Sevilla and Romanians Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox.[LNB]And Davis knows they must do better in front of their own fans this time around.[LNB]"We have to make sure we are tight at home as well," he said.[LNB]"Last year that didn't happen but we just have to make sure that we stick to a game-plan this time and make sure we keep getting the results.[LNB]"We know we are going to be the underdogs in the majority of games that we play in the Champions League.[LNB]"It's always going to be difficult for us in the games coming up but the one thing we know is that the boys will give 100% in all the games."[LNB]Meanwhile, Davis says he is still limiting the banter with Northern Ireland team-mate Jonny Evans, even though Rangers were by far the happier team with last night's outcome.[LNB]He said: "I've not said too much as we've still got to play them at Ibrox but we worked really hard and I think we deserved to get the point."
