Ben Davies makes Rangers title vow after 'special' Old Firm debut

Here is everything he had to say after his Old Firm debut.

What do you make of the performance and the result?

We struggled a little bit to get going. Not in terms of desire but to get out passing going. Towards the end of the first half, we started to get a bit more territory and to play around their box a bit more. At half-time, the manager sat us down and put that belief in us that we could go out and perform better. We turned it around within five or six minutes of the second half which is really pleasing. Obviously, we’re all disappointed that we didn’t get the win but I do think there are signs that we’re going in the right direction.

Does it feel like a big opportunity missed?

When you get to that late in the game and you’re winning, obviously that’s why we’re disappointed. But I think that we showed signs going forward that we’re going in the right direction. You can tell we’ve got some real quality players who can hurt any team and we showed that at times today.

What was the message at half time?

The manager put the belief in us. He just sat us down and said that we can do a lot better than we were showing. But I think we were together when we went into the dressing room, we were on the same page. Inside us, we all believed we could turn the game around - and we did that fairly quickly. But we’re just disappointed we didn’t see it through when we were that close.

Why wasn’t that belief there in the first place?

The belief was there (from the start) but obviously, it’s an Old Firm and it’s hard to get your passes together and get your foot in the game. The way that we started the second half was absolutely terrific and I think we showed what we can do.

Was it a big blow with the nature the first goal was conceded?

I think both goals were disappointing. Particularly the first one, coming so early in the game. Obviously, we played a square ball across the pitch and he danced through a couple which is disappointing for us. But we have gone goals down in games before this year and I think we used that experience to help up get back in this game today.

With what happened at Celtic Park, does that performance show it wasn’t a true reflection of Rangers?

I think since the manager has come in he’s made it clear we’re going in one direction and that’s forward. We’re not going to stand off anyone and we’re going to show who Rangers are. He wants to take us back to some of the performances the boys put in before. That’s what we’re trying to do going forward.

READ MORE: Michael Beale details Rangers recruitment in 'earn the shirt' claim

The gap remains nine points, what are your thoughts on the title race?

It’s the same as before the game. Obviously, we had a chance today to cut the gap and that would have been good but there is still a long way to go. We still have to play them again and there are a lot of games coming thick and fast. It’s the same as it was before – no closer, no further away.

You’ve had a disrupted start to your Rangers career, I assume you’re looking to build and play as many games as you can?

I think I’ll take more positives from today than from the past couple of games. I kind of struggled to get my fitness right. It takes a few games anyway but hopefully I can stay fit and help the team. The more I’m in the team, the better I’ll be.

(Image: NQ)

What did you make of your first Old Firm experience?

I thought the atmosphere was incredible. I thought it felt different to a league game or even a European game in my experience. The noise when we scored was something I’ve not heard before. I mean, I would have enjoyed the experience more if we’d have won the game but I thought it was special.