Davis was a stand-out performer in the win over Blackburn

Steven Davis is hoping for a central role in the Rangers midfield during the forthcoming season.

"I enjoyed playing in the middle," he said after Sunday's 2-1 friendly win over Blackburn in Australia.

"I've spoken a lot since I came to the club about how I'd like to be there and, hopefully, I'll get my chance there this year.

"Last year we had a lot of players with quality who could operate in the middle but some of them have moved on."

Kevin Thomson's transfer to Middlesbrough has left a vacancy in the centre of the park for Walter Smith's side.

And Davis lined up with Lee McCulloch and Maurice Edu at the heart of a five-man midfield against Blackburn, with Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty patrolling the wide areas.

"Having the three of us together worked really well in the middle," Davis added on the Ibrox club's website.

"I like to get on the ball and, with Mo and Lee doing well, I think the three of us worked as a group. Hopefully, that's a good sign of things to come."

The 25-year-old, who is the current SPFA Player of the Year, has been mostly utilised in a wide right position during his two years at Ibrox.

But manager Smith, who is searching for a new wide player, may be tempted to keep him in a central position after being impressed by the Northern Ireland international's display in the first of three matches in Australia.

"Steven was excellent for us but we had some good performances all over the park," said Smith.

"Blackburn are good at pinning teams back and they did that very well in the second half but we coped with it.

"We're getting up to a level of competitiveness we need."

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