Davis played for Aston Villa and Fulham before his move to Ibrox in 2008

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis admits he misses playing against the best sides in the English top flight.

The ideal solution for the former Fulham and Aston Villa man would be for the Old Firm to move south - but he accepts that is an unlikely scenario.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss playing Premier League-standard teams every week" said the Northern Irishman.

"I think everybody at Rangers would like nothing more than to be taking on sides of that calibre all the time."

The 25-year-old joined Walter Smith's side from Fulham in 2008 in a £3m move, after a successful loan spell at the club he supported as a boy.

Now he is one of Rangers' most valuable assets and his revelation will do little to calm the nerves of fans who have already seen six first-team players leave the cash-strapped club this summer.

Ahead of Saturday's friendly match with Newcastle, Davis said he and his team-mates relish their pre-season matches against English Premier League sides.

"It's a real opportunity for us to show what we're capable of," he explained. "Sadly, I think that's all we'll be able to settle for because as much as I'd love to see us move to the Premier League, I don't think it will ever happen."

Davis has spent most of his time at Ibrox playing wide on the right as opposed to in his favoured central midfield position but, with Kevin Thomson leaving for Middlesbrough, he will relish the chance to revert back to the middle of the field.

He knows his versatility may cost him however, if manager Smith is successful in his hunt for another central midfielder.

Davis told Rangers News "I'm not worried about that.

"If I have to play on the right I'll play on the right… it's not a big deal.

"It looks as though I'll be put in the middle this season, but I know how quickly things can change.

"For me to keep progressing, I think I maybe need to play in a more central role and I hope that in turn allows me to have a better season than I had last year."

Davis regards having his best spell of last season between December and January whilst he was playing through the middle.

Ahead of Saturday's friendly, former Rangers' striker Peter Lovenkrands said that he hopes to make a scoring return to Ibrox with Newcastle.

Lovenkrands joined Rangers in June 2000 from Akademisk Boldklub and went on to play 182 times for the Light Blues, scoring 54 goals.

"It's going to be strange for me going through the front doors at Ibrox and walking left and not right but I just can't wait to run down the tunnel," said the Dane.

"I still love Rangers and the first thing I look for after our matches is their results just to make sure they have won.

"I'm really looking forward to the match and if I can score past Allan (McGregor) that would be nice."

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