Replacing a club legend is no easy task. Rangers are discovering this the hard way, as they cannot adequately replace their idols once they leave the club.
Alfredo Morelos left in 2023 and Ibrox haven’t had a goalscorer like him since. Hamza Igamane might be able to reverse that trend, but he’s still some way from replicating Morelos’ feats in front of goal.
It’s safe to say that the Light Blues haven’t faced a centre-back of his quality since David Weir retired in 2012, with perhaps only Connor Goldson coming close, but even then, most support Readers may prefer the Scotsman.
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5 players who could leave Rangers this January
The January transfer window could see a number of Gers players move closer to the exits.
Steven Davis is a player who has contributed to the club’s success in two different periods. The Northern Irishman played in two UEFA Cup/Europa League finals while winning four league titles and a number of domestic cups.
After suffering a serious injury a year ago, he worked hard to regain fitness and retire in January 2024. To be honest, there hasn’t been anyone like him in the club squad since he played his last game for the Gers.
With that in mind, we looked at those who could be the next Davies for the club.
Steven Davis Rangers stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
season | game | Target | Assist |
2022/23 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
2021/22 | 33 | 1 | 1 |
2020/21 | 49 | 2 | 3 |
2019/20 | 43 | 1 | 3 |
2018/19 | 18 | 0 | 3 |
2011/12 | 39 | 5 | 14 |
2010/11 | 53 | 5 | 12 |
2009/10 | 50 | 4 | 16 |
2008/09 | 40 | 6 | 12 |
2007/08 | 25 | 1 | 6 |
The list includes players currently with the club, either in the first team or B team, players linked with a move to Ibrox, as well as some surprising options.
1
Isaac Price
Standard recliner
Northern Irishman. Midfielder. Able to contribute defensively and forward. If there’s anyone suitable to take over for Davis, it’s Isaac Price.
The youngster is currently playing for Standard Liege in Belgium but the Light Blues have Related to realizing potential January this year pounced on him.
Price has created five major chances domestically, according to Sofascore. Average 1.1 key passes The average success rate per game is as high as 44%, echoing Davis who liked to break forward frequently from 2008 to 2011.
The midfielder averaged 4.9 goals per game in the top flight, made 2.1 interceptions and won five duels, proving he can be effective without the ball – and that’s exactly what David Characteristics that Si displayed in his later years.
Could he be the perfect player to finally fill the void left by the Rangers legend? Only time will tell.
2
Marco Sordo
osijek
Marco Sordo is another midfielder who has been linked Philippe Clement aims to bolster his options in midfield with a move to Glasgow.
content creator About Kay Watson Speaking months before linking up with the Gers, the player said: “Marco Sordo can play from a defensive six to an attacking eight.
“So far this season he has mostly played deeper in Osijek’s position. His strengths allow him to play a versatile role in midfield.”
Flexibility in midfield could allow the Croatian starlet to shine in the center of the pitch for the Light Blues, with his skillset clearly similar to Davies’.
Four goals and four assists He has proven in Croatia’s top flight this season that he likes to rush into the final third as much as possible.
Sordo isn’t shy on defense either. He averaged 3.5 goals per game domestically, made 1.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions per game and won 5.4 duels for the club, suggesting Clement should bring him to Scotland as soon as possible.
Much will depend on the budget provided to the manager this month, especially given the club’s financial concerns, but signing players like Sordo and developing them into top talents will see them make steady profits in the future.
3
Josip Missick
dinamo zagreb
Croatian midfielder Josip Misic may not have officially been on Rangers’ radar, but he does fit the skill set that Davies needs.
In fact, according to FBref , during the 2021/22 Europa League season, the 30-year-old is Eighth most comparable Davies is the player making his second European final appearance for the Gers.
davis and misick Register similar statistics A range of metrics per 90 games, including shots taken (0.74 vs 0.92), pass success rate (87.8% vs 84.2%), chances created (1.37 vs 1.96) and Europe’s second-best midfield third Number of touches (252 vs. 292) level club competition.
Looking at those statistics, Micic might even be a quality player to sign a few years ago in preparation for Davis’ retirement, especially considering he fits the bill when comparing the two.
4
Leon Belka
Varazdin
Another transfer target who could become Rangers’ next Davies is another Croatian midfielder: Leon Belka.
President Varazdin Claims there is no formal bid Already made for the player, but a bid of around €700,000 (£580,000) would likely be needed to secure his signature, which looks quite realistic and within the club’s current budget, especially if several first-team players are sold over the winter Team player words window.
At 23, Belka 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 flight, Belka Average tackles: 1.4He averages 1.1 interceptions per game, 4.4 wins and a 58% success rate, which shows how effective he is without the ball in the heart of midfield.
Towards the end of his career, Davis moved deeper and deeper, making up for his lack of speed with his excellent field vision and improved defensive ability.
Belka, who has scored three goals in Croatia’s top flight, certainly doesn’t shy away from the attacking side, but his best position appears to be in defensive midfield.
From a financial perspective, a deal to sign the 23-year-old makes a lot of sense, especially since he can still improve significantly.
5
Morita Hidemasa
Sports CP
Like Micic, Hidemasa Morita has shown similar traits compared to Davis in certain games.
this 39 Japan international games He’s arguably the best player on this list when his level of play is taken into account, which means the Light Blues may have less chance of signing him.
During the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League season, Morita is the most comparable player to Davis. Among a series of indicators, Two people registered similar statistics In the game, pass success rate (79.8% vs 77.9%), shooting opportunities created (2 vs 4), aerial duels won (both 4) and touches (131 vs 181).
Rangers were knocked out of the group stage, suffering six defeats in six games and scoring just two goals in the process. Sporting CP ended up in the Europa League that season, finishing third in their group.
Finding a suitable heir for Davis proved more difficult than expected. Can this transfer window provide answers for the board and manager, or is there a player in Ibrox’s current squad who can take a step further and become a Glasgow icon? Only time will tell.
6
bellimi
rangers
While the three aforementioned midfielders have similar qualities to Davies, will Clement have the ideal successor to Davies right under his nose?
Bailey Rice is one of the brightest young talents at Ibrox and should perhaps get more time on the pitch with the senior team since Clement takes over in October 2023.
Rice joined from Motherwell in 2022, with the Gers beating a host of clubs to sign him before he made his mark under Michael Beale at just 16 years and four months made his senior team debut and became second youngest player Always featured at a Rangers game.
The first team has only had two more chances since then, but his ability to protect the back four while making decisive passes in the final third means there are shades of Davies in Rice.
At just 18 years old, Rice has all the talent to succeed Davies at the heart of Rangers’ midfield.
7
Nico Raskin
rangers
If anyone on the current roster could be Davis’ heir apparent, Nico Raskin is undoubtedly the best candidate.
One of the reasons the Light Blues have struggled against Celtic in recent years has been their inability to control the midfield, and Davies is a master of it.
Raskin was awarded the captain’s armband in the team’s 3-0 win over the Old Firm at the beginning of the year and delivered a performance that Northern Ireland could be proud of.
During the game, the Belgian Completed two key passesWinning 60% of ground duels and making 3 tackles, he showed his tenacious nature as he never let the Celtic midfield settle at Ibrox.
It was a real display of captaincy and if he can maintain his current form into the summer, Ibrox may have to brace themselves for some offers to come their way. However, keep him and they could have a midfield anchor for years to come.
