Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis returns to Ibrox on loan for second spell with Rangers

Scottish Premiership title hopefuls Rangers have announced the loan signing of Steven Davis until the end of the 2018/19 season from Premier League side Southampton.

Davis’ arrival comes just hours after the signing of former England international Jermaine Defoe as Steven Gerrard’s charges look primed for a major assault on Celtic’s crown in the coming months.

Davis, 34, re-joins the club following a spell in England with Southampton, where the talismanic Northern Irish midfielder was named captain last November.

With 107 international appearances to his name for the Green and White Army, Davis will be a shrewd acquisition for Gerrard and co on his second coming at the club.

During his previous spell in Glasgow, the influential central midfielder got to a UEFA Cup Final and won three league titles alongside a host of other honours under manager Walter Smith.

In the Ballymena native, who made 211 appearances for the club during his previous spell at Ibrox, Gerrard noted that he is delighted to welcome ‘another leader’ to the club.

“Steven is yet another fantastic addition to our squad, we are delighted to welcome him back to the club,” the former Liverpool skipper told the club’s website.

“He is vastly experienced at both club and international level and knows the club, the fans and the demands that come with wearing the Rangers jersey very well.

“He has previously captained the club and been captain for his country and Southampton, so we welcome yet another leader into our dressing room.”

Rangers Director of Football Mark Allen added: “Everyone at the club welcomes Steven back to Rangers.

“He has been on our radar for some time and becomes the fourth transfer that we have confirmed this window already.

“We are delighted that he will be able to join his teammates and get started straight away.”