Michael O’Neill shares what he told Steven Davis before Rangers move

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Glasgow Rangers brought Steven Davis back to Ibrox on loan until the summer.

In comments reported by the Scotsman, Michael O’Neill has shared that he told Steven Davis ahead of his move to Rangers to go somewhere where he was going to be competing for trophies.

Davis made an emotional return to Ibrox this month, with the club confirming that he has joined on loan for the rest of the season after more than six years with Southampton.

It appears to be a massive coup for the Gers to get Davis. While he was not playing much at St Mary’s, he remains a class act that many will be expecting to make a real impact during the Scottish Premiership title race.

And O’Neill suggested that he was delighted when he heard about Davis’ decision to return to Rangers this month, having spoken to the midfielder about the next move in his career.

“I was delighted for him, we had been chatting about it for a while and I obviously knew he was unhappy with the situation at Southampton. Not getting game time was troubling him because it is not something he has encountered,” he said, as reported by the Scotsman.

“We spoke about it and my advice was, ‘Go to a place where you really want to be and go to a team that has a chance of winning things’. That is exactly what he has done. He is playing at the top of the table, rather than joining another team where you are fighting for your life.”

What appears to be exciting about being at Rangers at the moment is the fact that players such as Jermain Defoe and Davis are not guaranteed starters at Ibrox following their January arrivals.

Both men were introduced in the 76th minute at the weekend when Rangers were already 3-0 ahead. That competition for places could arguably make a massive difference as the Gers look to bounce back from their defeat at Kilmarnock and claw back the gap at the top of the table.