Michael Beale has revealed he realised just how good Steven Davis was when Porto man-marked him during a Europa League clash last season.
Davis has been excellent since returning to Rangers in January 2019, although he did have a slight struggle because of his lack of match fitness in the early days.
The Rangers midfielder broke Peter Shilton's record to become the most-capped British male in international football and continues to be a mainstay for club and country.
And Beale admits he loves working with him as he detailed the effort Porto put in to stop him running the game during their Europa League games last season.
Rangers took four points from six against the Portuguese giants and Davis netted in the 2-0 win at Ibrox.
Beale was full of praise for Davis as he told RangersTV: "I was reading he made his debut in 2005 so 16 years ago. 125 games, 126 this week to break the record.
"That’s probably on average, eight or nine international games every season for 16 years so it’s not just the fact he’s playing at the level he’s playing, it’s the consistency and how you look after your body.
"Anyone who has worked with Steven Davis knows he’s low maintenance and high output in terms of around the place. He takes ownership of his development, he leads by example every day. He’s just an all round top fella.
"He’s playing some of the best football of his career right now. I knew that when we played Porto last year and they man-marked him. The respect they gave him shows the level he’s playing at.
"When I look at him this season, he’s the elder statesmen of our midfield but I’d say he’s got the youngest legs, which I’d say is a good trait to have at his age."
Davis has made 42 appearances for Steven Gerrard's men this season, as well as nine for his country during another impressive season.
At 36, many expected him to be slowing down but Beale insists he was key to Rangers winning the league as he hailed both him and Glen Kamara.
He added: "He’s been essential this year. The mainstays in midfield have been himself and Glen Kamara, they’ve both been fantastic. We wouldn’t have been able to win the league without the form those two have shown.
"At different times Joe (Aribo), Ryan (Jack) and Scott Arfield have been injured. When they have played, they’ve all contributed massively. Ryan Jack with his goal against Ross County and Kilmarnock, a fantastic goal. Joe Aribo has had some fantastic goals. Scott Arfield earlier in the season driving the team on, remember the goals against Galatasaray and Hibs.
"But the mainstays have been Steven and Glen Kamara and they’ve been outstanding for us this season."
