Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes losing Ryan Jack to injury earlier in the season could have seriously hampered the Light Blues’ title charge as they romped towards the club’s first league triumph in a decade – had it not been for the “absolutely phenomenal” performances of veteran Steven Davis.
The Northern Irish midfielder was named Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year for his stunning form for Steven Gerrard’s side this term, with McCoist insisting Davis has been “out of this world.”
While the likes of Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo have also caught McCoist’s eye, the Gers’ all-time record goalscorer thinks it could have been “really, really serious” for their title ambitions had Davis not stepped up.
“With Ryan’s absence, it could have been really, really serious for Rangers,” McCoist said, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “But at the same time Steven Davis has come in and been absolutely out of this world towards the end of the season. He’s been absolutely phenomenal.
“So Rangers have been … not fortunate, but a little bit blessed that. Obviously there have been good performances as well from Kamara and Aribo.
“Injuries to those players – particularly Ryan Jack – could have affected Rangers worse had it not been for the performances of Davis.”
Davis made 49 appearances for the Gers this season as Steven Gerrard’s side ran away with the league title and smashed a number of records on the way.
As well as helping Rangers to the title and earning plaudits from the Football Writers’ Association, Davis also became the most capped male British international earlier in the season when he surpassed Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps.
With Rangers having to complete the final weeks of the season light on bodies in midfield and defence, Davis’ class shone through as he helped the Gers over the line to record the club’s first unbeaten season in the top-flight since 1899.
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