RANGERS manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been urged to hand Steven Davis a start in the second leg of the Europa Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on Thursday night even if John Lundstram is fit to face Braga.

Northern Ireland internationalist Davis has been injured this year and has been used sparingly by the Dutchman when he has been available for selection.

However, the 37-year-old performed well in the 4-0 triumph over St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday after coming on for Lundstram, who suffered a groin strain, midway through the first-half.

Van Bronckhorst, whose team lost 1-0 to Braga in Portugal last week, is hopeful he will be able to name Lundstram in his side for the massive midweek fixture.

But Nacho Novo, the former Rangers striker who played alongside Davis when the Glasgow giants reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008, thinks his old team mate should be involved regardless.   

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“I’m surprised he’s not played a bit more under Giovanni,” he said yesterday at a Premier Sports media event ahead of the Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic at Hampden on Sunday. 

“To be honest, he is the best midfielder at Rangers. There’s no doubt about it, he can still go. He is so fit he can probably play ‘til 40.

“He is a great player. I don’t know what happens on the training ground or what Gio sees so I can’t comment on why he’s not played so much.

“But if it was down to me - he would play every game. He has years left in him. He is fit and dictating games. He is a great player. 

“But then maybe I’d need to ask him first because the last time I played I just remember an 18-year-old boy running past me!” 

Rangers are six points behind Celtic in the cinch Premiership with five games remaining and are in danger of being beaten to the Scottish title by their city rivals.

But Novo feels 133-times capped Davis can help his old club to enjoy a hugely successful season if he is given a run in the first team. 

Novo continued: “I think he is a great player and is getting better because of the experience he has. He has played in the best leagues and I think he will have a big part to play in the remainder of the season.

“I’d like to see him beside Ryan Jack. I love Ryan Jack. And probably Glen Kamara. For me that would be the three. The good thing is they have good options in there.”

 

Nacho Novo was promoting exclusively live Premier Sports coverage of Celtic v Rangers this Sunday from 1pm Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player from £9.99 per month, and on Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.