Danny Murphy has suggested that Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis’ lack of first team football over the past year could be an advantage for Rangers.
Defoe, 36, and Davis, 34, have moved to Ibrox on 18 and six month loan deals respectively, with neither featuring regularly for their parent clubs in the Premier League.
Match of the Day analyst Murphy believes that a lack of action could prove to be a positive for Steven Gerrard’s Gers, however.
Speaking on talkSPORT, as quoted in the Express, he said: “People might say they’re past their sell-by date – the fact they’ve not played much football in the last year or two probably means they’re in good nick.
“When you go anywhere in the middle of the season, your rhythm can take a while to come back.
“But Jermain Defoe has always been a goalscorer, always been someone you can give the ball around the 18-yard box, he’ll manoeuvre himself, two-footed, he’ll shoot from anywhere. Super sharp.”
OPINION
Ordinarily, two players barely featuring for their sides would probably be considered a bit of a concern for their new club. Usually, it would mean that the new additions were rusty or lacking match fitness, and could lead to a period of acclimatisation before they could make any real impact. Neither Defoe or Davis should have that problem. Both players are vastly experienced and will know exactly what they need to do to hit the ground running, and both will be keen to make a difference as soon as they can. In Davis’ case in particular, having already played at Ibrox, he will know what is expected of him and will take very little time to settle back in to his old surroundings. In Defoe’s case, despite approaching a point his career when most players are thinking about hanging up their boots, the striker is arguably in the best shape of his life, and while he may have lost half a yard of pace, his intelligence and predatory instinct will more than make up for it.