Naismith and Davis won’t rule out Rangers return

Steven Naismith powers a header at goal in Scotland's qualifier against Georgia in October 2014. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

FORMER Rangers duo Steven Naismith and Steven Davis have refused to rule out a return to Ibrox, just days after former team-mate Kyle Lafferty admitted he would jump at the chance to return to Rangers, insisting he has ‘unfinished business’ at the club.

And Scotland star Naismith, who is enjoying life at Everton, said that he’d ‘never rule anything out’ when asked if he could see himself back at Ibrox.

He added: “Our times at Rangers are probably the best in our careers. We were a successful team and had some great memories.

“At the moment I love playing for Everton. I love it at the moment but you never know things can change so quickly in football. I’d never rule anything out to be honest.”

And Davis added: “In football you never know. I loved my time there. If the opportunity arose then it would be something I would have to consider.

“It’s a club I look back on fondly. It was a great time in my career. I was lucky enough to have four and a half really successful years there and the positives largely outweighed any negatives.”

Davis is likely to face his former team-mate Naismith at Hampden tonight, as Scotland take on Northern Ireland in a warm-up match ahead of their European qualifier against Gibraltar, with fellow ex-Ger Lafferty also in the Northern Irish squad.

A strong Scottish-based contingent in Michael O’Neill’s squad includes Aberdeen striker Niall McGinn, Kilmarnock duo Sammy Clingan and Josh Magennis and goalkeepers Michael McGovern and Alan Mannus of Hamilton and St Johnstone respectively.

Steven Davis holds off Ashley Barnes of Burnley. Picture: Getty

Dundee United midfielder Paul Paton pulled out through injury while Newcastle United’s Shane Ferguson - on loan at Rangers - is unlikely to kick a ball again this season through injury.