Southampton's decision to let Steven Davis join Rangers on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 looks to have been a poor one, with the Northern Ireland international emphasising his quality in Steven Gerrard's side this season.

After an initial loan spell, the experienced midfielder was allowed to join the Ibrox outfit on a free transfer, having made the switch from Rangers to Southampton seven years earlier.

Southampton originally signed Davis from the Glasgow club in 2012 and he went on to make 226 appearances for the Saints, contributing 14 goals and 26 appearances.

However, his influence in Southampton's side clearly waned and he made just three Premier League appearances in the first half of the 2018/19 season before joining Gerrard's side on loan, where the former Liverpool captain was convinced to make the midfielder's deal permanent in the summer.

Despite now being 36, Davis has been hugely impressive for Rangers this season and has been an important part of their superb title win, making 30 appearances in the Premiership, where his performances have seen him average an impressive 6.99 WhoScored rating.

The veteran, who reportedly earns £20,000 per week at Rangers, shows no signs of slowing down and was recently rewarded with a one-year contract extension by the club , so will undoubtedly be an important member of their squad next season.

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Davis also continues to be a regular with Northern Ireland and recently broke Peter Shilton's long-standing record to become the most capped UK player in history after he earned his 126th cap for his country.

Considering the injury problems Southampton have faced, particularly this season, having someone of Davis' experience at the club would have perhaps been useful both on and off the pitch, as he could have provided excellent cover when Oriol Romeu and Ibrahima Diallo were sidelined earlier in the season.

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Davis clearly has the fitness and talent to play at the top level, so it seems clear that Southampton let him go far too easily in 2019 as, even at 36, he could have been an important part of Ralph Hasenhuttl's squad this season had they stuck with him.

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