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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gavin Berry

The Rangers dressing room verdict on Michael Beale as Steven Davis reveals licence for attackers to 'cause havoc'

Steven Davis revealed his excitement at being reunited with Michael Beale and insists every player will know their role under the new Rangers boss in a style that could see the attacking players “cause havoc”.

One of the main criticisms of former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst was that the Light Blues lacked identity and were too negative but Northern Ireland veteran Davis has a vision of a swashbuckling style having worked with the 42-year-old when he was a coach under Steven Gerrard and after a couple of training sessions.

Davis has started just nine games this season and the midfielder, who will turn 38 next month, will be hoping to feature more. He told Sky Sports: “He just wants to play a brand of football that excites the fans, brings energy to the team and brings energy to the team and gives the attacking players freedom to go and cause havoc and show their qualities. Having worked with him before, we’ll know exactly what roles and responsibility each player has so we’re looking forward to the start of the games.

“It’s exciting, obviously having worked with him before. A lot of the group know he will be very clear in his ideas and every session will be built around how he wants us to play. We’re looking forward to it and the first couple of days have been really bright and he’s talked about he wants the team to look.

“He had that separation (from the players) in his first spell obviously being a coach and I don’t think it will be a hard transition for him. The experience he’s gained over the years and the knowledge he has in terms of coaching, it’s a a great opportunity that he’s very excited about getting and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Davis admitted the players must share the blame for the axe falling on Van Bronckhorst but said the success of last season shouldn’t be forgotten. He said: “We all share the responsibility. Results haven’t been good enough and we’re the first to admit that. We’re the players that go on the pitch and are given instructions and it hasn’t been good enough. You don’t want to see anyone losing their job and last season - getting to the Europa League Final and being so close to achieving something special and winning the Scottish Cup - has ben lost a bit.

"Nobody should forget the good work Gio and his staff done and over the period of time the fans will really appreciate that and as a group of players we do but personally and collectively it hasn’t been good enough and we have to turn that around it. We have to start winning games consistently. It would be great to play the brand of football we’d like to but first of all it’s about winning games at this football club and hopefully build some momentum. There’s still a long way to go, there’s a gap there but we haven’t given up hope on anything and it’s important to start building those blocks.”

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