Ben Davies’ recall to the Rangers set-up was almost five months in the making.
But the centre-back’s timely return to action against Kilmarnock could be a potentially huge moment in the hunt for two more trophies.
Rangers really are down to the bare bones – Leon Balogun the latest defensive injury worry – and the club need all the reinforcements they can get.
With Connor Goldson also out until the end of the season, should Nigerian defender Leon Balogun join him for an extensive spell on the sidelines it will leave Ben Davies and John Souttar as Rangers’ only fit senior defensive options.
Speaking after scoring on his return to action, Davies insists that he’s ready to start games with that crucial Old Firm against Celtic on the horizon.
Davies has also explained that an unexpected injury setback – accidentally inflicted by a teammate – has kept the defender out since the 3-2 win away to Real Betis in mid-December.
Davies ‘ready’ to start at Celtic Park
Speaking with next week’s visit to Celtic Park in mind, Ben Davies has insisted that the 45 minutes against Kilmarnock will be enough to support him going straight into the Rangers starting XI.
The defender, 28, came off the bench to score a crucial goal for Rangers as the Ibrox side looked to break down a stubborn Kilmarnock backline at 1-1.
Rangers would go on to win the game 4-1 and Ben Davies insists that the squad will have to be at their best to get win the club needs at Celtic Park.
“I’d be ready to start games now,” said Davies, speaking to the media after the victory over Kilmarnock. “I think that 45 minutes has been a good building block.
“It’s just funny how it can change just being battling to be in the squads and things like that and getting on and contributing.
“We’re feeling good. We’ve scored four good goals today, we’ve created lots of chances today.
“Obviously it’s going to be a tough task to go and win (v Celtic) but we’re going to go and try and win and see where we go from there.”
Later Davies added: “Yeah 100% we need to play our game. We need to be good on the ball, we need to be aggressive, we need to attack and defend well so we need to play a good game to win there.
“Obviously it’s going to be a tough task to go and win (v Celtic) but we’re going to go and try and win and see where we go from there.”
Rangers teammate behind freak training injury
As Ben Davies disappeared into obscurity in the background of the Rangers squad, some Ibrox supporters were beginning to forget what the defender looked like.
A £4m transfer from Liverpool in 2022, Davies has not contributed anywhere near enough since joining the club and fears began to mount about the centre-back being a defensive flop.
It certainly appeared like Rangers manager Philippe Clement didn’t exactly fancy the former Preston skipper.
But explaining that, whilst scoring his first goal for the club against Kilmarnock felt ‘good’, it’s been a long time coming due to a worrying concussion suffered just as was ready to make a return to the team.
The situation certainly sums up Rangers’ disastrous season with injuries, with nearly all of the club’s squad impacted by problems at some stage this campaign.
“It’s been a long time being injured and I was nearly back and then I got a concussion in training which then put me back another few weeks,” explains Davies.
“So it’s been frustrating since then but the lads and the manager have been great just making me feel still part of it and wanted and needed.
“They’ve always said all along that ‘you’ll be needed before the end of the season’ so.”
When asked what happened with concussion, Davies said: “I think it was a Thursday before a Saturday game.
“So we were doing some shape or attack v defence and I was in the opposition team.
“The ball has bounced off the crossbar, gone into the floor, I’ve jumped up to flick it and then one of the players, I won’t name who, has gone to try score a goal and I’ve just nicked it and he’s just got me on the back of the head.
“I had a headache for 10-12 days after that which was a bit concerning but it’s fully gone now.
“I was just starting to feel good in terms of training, like fitness, feeling a bit sharper.
“So it was frustrating but like I say you’ve just got to stick at it and I’m not young I’ve been around the game for a while.
“You’re never down and out, you’ve got to stay focused because it can change so quickly.”
Injury has marred Ben Davies’ season at Rangers to date, with the defender making only 13 appearances this campaign.
