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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

Rangers reject Stoke City approach for defender Ben Davies

Rangers have rejected an approach for Ben Davies after Stoke City made a move to sign the Ibrox stopper on a loan deal.

Potters boss Alex Neil is keen to be reunited with Davies – who he worked with at Preston North End – and the situation has been ongoing in recent weeks.

But the Championship outfit did not put an acceptable offer on table and Rangers rebuffed their loan bid for the 28-year-old centre-back, who made the move to Ibrox from Liverpool last summer.

Davies was named in the squad for both legs of the Champions League play-off defeat to PSV Eindhoven and is fit and available as he seeks to challenge Connor Goldson and John Souttar for a starting berth in the coming weeks.

Beale has added Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun to his defensive ranks this summer and will look to lead his side to victory over Celtic in the first Old Firm clash of the campaign on Sunday.

Beale said: “I think with nine players coming into the squad, I think it's important that the squad is given time to settle down. We don't have any injuries at this moment in time, so the squad is looking healthy.

“The squad size has come down in size and in average age. We're okay, we're good to go.

“Naturally every manager is going to sit here and say they want one more, but if we don't, we are happy with the squad moving forward.

"The board really supported the plan. James and myself looked at the squad going into the summer.

“We had a number of players moving on, an ageing squad in some areas, but the contract situation enabled us to refresh the squad in terms of age and rethink assets moving forward. We are sticking with that plan and onwards and upwards with this group of players.”

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