Giovanni van Bronckhorst has opened up on Ben Davies' situation as he explained why the summer signing from Liverpool didn't start against Napoli.
Rangers shelled out a big fee to bring in the one-time Celtic target this summer but has been reduced to just three appearances for the club since his arrival. He was named on the bench last night for the defeat to the Serie A side but when James Sands was given his marching orders, the Dutchman turned to youngster Leon King over the stopper.
Davies has struggled with injury since his move to Scotland and has only returned to training. This was one of the main reasons why the 18-year-old was selected as he replaced Ryan Jack. King was also called upon at half-time against Ajax in the opening Champions League game with his boss hailing his performance in Amsterdam.
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Despite a much better performance, the man advantage played into the visitors hands as they eventually ran out 3-0 winners. Allan McGregor - on his return to the team following injury to Jon McLaughlin - denied the Italians twice from the penalty spot after a VAR check ruled the first effort to be retaken. He was inches away from a third save from 12-yards while Alfredo Morelos also returned to the fold.
Asked about the situation with Davies, Van Bronckhorst responded: “Why do you want to talk about Ben Davies?"
And when pushed on the centre back, he responded: “He has been injured. He’s just back in training and I put players in who I think will be ready to play and that’s why I put Leon in first.
“He’s developing really well and played really well in the second half against Ajax and that’s why I put him in.
“That’s why Ben didn’t start.”
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