Earlier we discussed the future of John Lundstram, and how there’s got to be a bit of doubt he has one under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but we also alluded to another man who has been increasingly ‘rested’ following the appointment of the Dutchman.

Steven Davis has been immune to criticism from a lot of fans for a long time, regardless of his performances, because he’s one of us and is a true model pro.

In fairness, he’s entitled to slack – he’s given us a lot since he came back, being a truly wonderful performer and last season he was quite simply remarkable.

But there’s been a reduction in his performances since the summer, subtle, true, but noticeable, with a marginally reduced passing accuracy and more loose possession.

But that was under the ex-boss. Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Davis is a bench player.

The new manager may well find a role for the Northern Irish international, but if there’s one thing which stands out about Gio’s Rangers, it’s the mobility, pace and movement of every player in the side.

GVB likes his teams to be fluid, dynamic, interchanging and swapping, not to mention quick. Everything that Davis isn’t.

Davis is a more slow-paced cultured deep-lying playmaker and in the way that John Lundstram’s mobility may be a handicap to the ex-Sheffield man’s future at Ibrox, it could also see a big reduction in Davis’ appearances as well.

He was a mainstay until Gio came in, and has made just two starts for the new manager, v Hibs (that tricky 1-0) and v Prague.

Of 9 matches, that’s a sure sign Gio is looking at other options.

Scotty Arfield and Glen Kamara have pretty much nailed midfield down for GVB, and Davis has had to make do with appearances from the bench.

There’s nothing wrong with this, he’s aging and he doesn’t have the attributes this manager likes to deploy – he doesn’t have pace, power, agility, mobility, dynamism or roaming, it’s just not his game.

Possibly van Bronckhorst will find some use for him, but we can’t see Steven Davis playing a major role under the boss going forward.

But then, let’s see what football brings us after the winter break.