ANDY LITTLE believes Steven Davis has assumed the leadership role once held by Davie Weir to inspire Rangers to title glory this term.

Davis has been a mainstay of the Light Blues side that have moved to within touching distance of their first Premiership crown in a decade and the fourth that the Northern Irishman has won at Ibrox.

The midfielder was part of the successful side managed by Walter Smith during his first spell with Rangers and he is now poised to complete the job that he started when he returned from Southampton two years ago.

Davis continues to lead the way on and off the park and countryman Little isn't surprised to see his friend and former team-mate showing his class throughout another accomplished campaign.

Little told Herald and Times Sport: "He has been unbelievable and from the very outset of the season you could tell how important he was going to be.

"Any successful, championship winning team has a really strong spine and you look at McGregor, Goldson, Davis and Morelos and they are four stand-out players for Rangers that have formed that spine.

 

 

"You think of the experience of McGregor and Davis in those key areas of the pitch. The clean sheet record from McGregor is terrific and the experience that Davis has is so important.

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"I think of him like Davie Weir when he managed that side to titles. Steven is a few years younger than Davie but I see them as very similar characters and he does everything right, he is the ultimate pro and a great role model for all those lads around him.

"The likes of Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent, they are guys that have really impressed this season and they will have been helped massively by having Steven Davis alongside him bringing that calmness.

"That is what Davie Weir did with Carlos Cuellar and Madjid Bougherra or even midfield players like Steven. Back then, he was the Joe Aribo, if you like, and now he is the elder statesman in there.

"I think his influence over the team has arguably been the most important thing in Rangers going ahead and no doubt winning the league this season."