Former Rangers defender Ben Davies has admitted he did not experience the best of life at Ibrox because the club simply did not win enough during his time in Glasgow.
Davies spent four seasons with Rangers after joining from Liverpool, experiencing Champions League and Europa League football as well as major domestic cup occasions during his spell at the club before spending the latter two years out on loan with Birmingham City and Oxford United.
The 31-year-old has now reflected on his time at Ibrox after moving on to Bolton Wanderers, where he is attempting to reestablish himself in the Championship.
Davies looks back fondly on Ibrox
Despite the demands that came with playing for Rangers, Davies looks back positively on the experience and believes his time at the club helped develop his confidence as a player.
Rangers was another major step in a career which had already taken him to Anfield, Sheffield United and other big English clubs, and Davies admitted the experience of playing in front of a huge Ibrox support was something he will always remember.
“Rangers was good. Obviously, it's a massive club. There's 50,000 every week, which is incredible,” Davies said to the Bolton News.
“The fans are amazing. They go everywhere; they sell out everywhere. It helps when you win and we didn't win enough.
“I don't think I saw the very best of it because we didn't give the fans in that period what they expect and demand.”
No regrets for Davies
Despite that frustration, Davies has no regrets about his time in Glasgow.
His Rangers spell gave him the opportunity to play Champions League and Europa League football.
“That's the only thing really, but it enabled me to play Champions League football, Europa League football and play in some massive cup finals as well, so it was a good experience,” he explained.
Davies also believes his previous move to Liverpool helped prepare him for the pressure and expectations that came with joining Rangers.
Having previously walked into an unfamiliar dressing room at Anfield, the defender found himself doing the same again at Ibrox.
“I think the Liverpool move has made the rest of my career feel easier to move around,” Davies revealed.
“I didn't know anyone at Rangers, didn't know anyone at Liverpool, didn't know anyone at Sheffield United. I didn't know anyone here.
“I think the self-confidence it gave me from going there was another level.”
Honest assesment from Gers defender
His comments provide an honest assessment of his Rangers career, with Davies acknowledging both the scale of the club and the frustration that came with not winning enough.
The defender was part of a Rangers side that reached the Champions’ League group stage in 2022 and a League Cup final during his first season, while Celtic's continued domestic success meant the club ultimately fell short of the expectations placed upon them.
He did, however, pick up a League Cup medal in 2023/24 under Phillipe Clement, as the Gers defeated Aberdeen in the final thanks to a James Tavernier strike.
Now back in England, he remains grateful for the experience he gained at Ibrox.
Davies experienced the scale of Rangers first-hand, but by his own admission, he never quite saw the club at its best.
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