Coopermania 1 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 http://www.<No links to this website>/sport/2008/04...86908-20384565/ I'll give Rangers first chance to sign me, says loan star Steve Davis Apr 16 2008 By Colin Duncan RANGERS' hopes of making Steve Davis' switch from Fulham permanent were last night given a major boost. The midfielder revealed he will give the SPL leaders first crack at signing him. The Ulsterman has been a revelation at Ibrox since arriving from Craven Cottage on loan during the January window and has played an integral part in Rangers' push for four trophies this season. Now Ibrox boss Walter Smith has made keeping him his No.1 priority this summer. The 23-year-old is receptive to the idea of furthering his career north of the border if Fulham decide to let him go. But with Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn and Newcastle all chasing the £4million-rated star Rangers might struggle to match the financial package on offer in the Premiership. Davis said: "The most important thing for me is to see this season through first. We are still involved in three competitions at the moment and that's what I need to focus on. "When the season finishes I will go away, have a break and hopefully sort out my future after that. What I can say is that I will listen to Rangers first. If they are an option then it's something I will consider. "I grew up a Rangers fan and I have enjoyed my time here. It has been good for everyone and the fact we're in the semi-final of the UEFA Cup proves we are a massive club. "The manager is well respected and it was good to read that he wants to keep me. I have enjoyed working with him. "I haven't really thought about things and I suppose a lot will depend on what happens with Fulham." Instead of fighting a relegation battle with the Londoners, Davis now finds himself closing in on four trophies with his boyhood heroes. Yet, as he gears up for his second Old Firm clash the Northern Irishman admits he was surprised Roy Hodgson allowed him to move north. He said: "I don't know why Fulham let me go. Before I came here I'd started almost every league game but then there was a change in manager. I was out of the team and when I heard of Rangers' interest I went to see the new boss. "I didn't think he would agree to the move but he did and I'm so glad I came. I've been able to add to the quality that was already here and things have worked out well." Victory at Parkhead tonight would leave Celtic needing a miracle to overhaul Rangers in the title race and while Davis is confident he knows it will take another Herculean display. He added: "We had big performance against Sporting last week, probably the best I've been involved in since I came here. "We showed we are a good footballing side and there's no doubt we've taken a lot of confidence from that performance. But it will take a similar showing against Celtic to get anything at Parkhead. "Things have gone well for me since I came to Ibrox but there's a lot of football to be played and it's now a case of seeing it through. "This will be my first experience of Parkhead but I'm looking forward to it. "There's no doubt this game is huge just because of what is at stake. It's vital we get a result. "A draw would suit us more than Celtic but you don't go into any game looking to draw. We'll be going there looking to win." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coopermania 1 Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Once again, it seems money is the issue. I hope he stays, but money talks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzapat 83 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I see the price has suddenly gone up to £4 million now..... Fulham paid £4million for him but he was out of their plans and not getting a start, sent out on loan to go in the shop window and all of a sudden because he is playing well for us they want what they paid!!! We deffo need to sig this guy but as you say, financing the deal on our current wage structure could limit us, even against the teams in the lower half of the Premiership Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coopermania 1 Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 I see the price has suddenly gone up to £4 million now..... Fulham paid £4million for him but he was out of their plans and not getting a start, sent out on loan to go in the shop window and all of a sudden because he is playing well for us they want what they paid!!! We deffo need to sig this guy but as you say, financing the deal on our current wage structure could limit us, even against the teams in the lower half of the Premiership I agree dazza. The big adavantage we have is the chance to win titles and cups and challenge in Europe every season. That should clinch it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace 3,643 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Footballers are no different from any other guy in that if one employer offers to pay you more than the other then, generally, you go where the money is. Hopefully, the opportunity to regularly win trophies & pkay in Europe influences his decision but if someone is willing to offer him £50k per week i doubt we could or would match it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having read the article it did not inspire me that Davis was committed to staying - what he actually said (to paraphrase) is I will talk to Rangers first. No mention of them being his preferred choice, or really keen to work out a deal etc. etc. It may be this is one we lose on wages ! sigh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coopermania 1 Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having read the article it did not inspire me that Davis was committed to staying - what he actually said (to paraphrase) is I will talk to Rangers first. No mention of them being his preferred choice, or really keen to work out a deal etc. etc. It may be this is one we lose on wages ! sigh! True peter. Hes saying he will talk to Rangers first, no actual mention of Rangers being his ideal /preferred choice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluepeter 5,627 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having read the article it did not inspire me that Davis was committed to staying - what he actually said (to paraphrase) is I will talk to Rangers first. No mention of them being his preferred choice, or really keen to work out a deal etc. etc. It may be this is one we lose on wages ! sigh! Yeah, that's the impression it gave me too. It would be disappointing to lose him on wages, but that's the reality of the EPL /SPL situation. They can afford to pay far more than we can Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest therabbitt Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hopefully his allegiences and thrist for winning trophies will curtail the cash side of it. He could still earn fantastic wages up here and be one of our top earners and no one would really complain about him being over paid... Would anyone mind if he was given a similar financial package to Barry? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVB 2,560 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having heard him on the radio yesterday, i believe he's off at the end of the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricksen_da_best 2,034 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having heard him on the radio yesterday, i believe he's off at the end of the season. "Rangers can have first option on me" Yeah i thought that to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ara 154 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 when he said 'it was good to READ that he wants to keep me...', I was a bit taken aback that Walter hasn't already had deep talks with the boy!... hmmmnnn... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff 245 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Stay and be a legend along with the most important thing in football, winning trophies OR move to shite like Middlesborough, Newcastle, Everton and never win a thing or compete in the Champions League but make a packet. The choice is yours Davis. Let's see how much of a Bluenose you really are! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 9 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Stay and be a legend along with the most important thing in football, winning trophies OR move to shite like Middlesborough, Newcastle, Everton and never win a thing or compete in the Champions League but make a packet. The choice is yours Davis. Let's see how much of a Bluenose you really are! As much one as Barry or Hutton are...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 9 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Having read the article it did not inspire me that Davis was committed to staying - what he actually said (to paraphrase) is I will talk to Rangers first. No mention of them being his preferred choice, or really keen to work out a deal etc. etc. It may be this is one we lose on wages ! sigh! tbh, I suspect Davis is a little bitter at being kicked out of the Premiership purely because the new manager didn't like him. Which, in itself is puzzling - he was a starter then Hogson froze him out. I doubt very much if he has the option to return to England and play regularly again, that he'd turn that down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delparlane 5,940 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Would really hate to see him go, but if a lot of clubs are in the hunt, it wouldn't surprise me. Even if we have first option, our management's reputation for "thrift" will probably see him in another pasture next season. Would be a crying shame to lose him, though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATPRFC1872. 220 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Nice,the english can have charlie adam instead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 762 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Imagine going to Blackburn over Rangers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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