‘Man the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice.’ A line once uttered by former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua, in what could only be described as a toe-curling kind of American accent. It’s also something that quite a few ex-Rangers players may have told themselves before returning to the club.
For some, they probably regret returning. With the overshadowing presence of their original spell being too daunting a task. Leaving many looking back at the player of yesteryear, or simply dreaming of what could have been (we are looking at you Kris Boyd).
This list looks at the more successful examples of some of our great’s second stints.
10. Steven Davis
Not only considered a legend in his native Northern Ireland, Steven Davis cemented himself with the Ibrox faithful during his 4 and a half years at the club. Initially joining in January 2008 on-loan from Fulham, Davis would go on to win 3 league titles and was named captain in 2011, after the injury of then captain David Weir. Davis would leave Rangers the following season to Southampton.
After 7 years at St. Mary’s, the Northern Irish Midfielder would return Govan on another January 6-month loan, the following May he would once again make the move permanent. Helping Rangers win the 20/21 league title, their 1st league title in a decade, that season he would also win the SFWA Footballer of the Year award.
Davis was the only Rangers player to feature in both the 2008 UEFA Cup and the 2022 Europa League Final.
Starting off as narrow right midfielder at Rangers, he would eventually move into his preferred position of central midfield. Davis is known for his impressive ball-retention and his game intelligence to help transition defence into attack with patient, incisive passing.
In December 2022, Davis tore his anterior cruciate ligament. This injury would not only end his season, but has most likely ended his career with Rangers. Though he is still contracted at Ibrox, it is so the club can help him through his rehabilitation.
