STEVEN DAVIS is the man tasked with leading Rangers forward, for the time being at least.
But the 38-year old doesn’t yet have the required Uefa Pro License.
Davis, who suffered a devastating knee injury last December, has been placed in interim charge of Rangers following Michael Beale’s sacking last night.
He’ll lead a coaching team including ex-Gers players Alex Rae, Steven Smith and Brian Gilmour, as well as goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.
Beale was axed in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen– a third loss of the Premiership season and one that leaves the Light Blues trailing Celtic by seven points.
It’s been a dramatic 48 hours at Ibrox, but Davis and his new coaching team don’t have much time to gather their thoughts.
Instead, they’ve got European football to prepare for.
Rangers are on their travels this week as they face Cypriot champions Aris Limassol in the Europa League.
But as mentioned, interim boss Davis does NOT hold the required Uefa Pro License.
And fans have been left wondering if the Northern Ireland captain – who hasn’t announced his retirement from playing – will be able to take charge of the team in European competition.
Parallels have been drawn to the situation that Hearts found themselves in earlier this season.
Caretaker boss Steven Naismith was handed the job permanently in the summer, despite the fact he didn’t hold the Uefa Pro License.
This meant that as per Uefa regulations, he was not allowed to officially lead the Jambos in Europe.
To get around this technicality, Hearts appointed Naismith as ‘technical director’ with Frankie McAvoy being the officially appointed ‘head coach.’
It meant that McAvoy was the man officially deemed in charge and it was he who carried out pre and post-match media duties as the Hearts representative.
Following Hearts’ elimination from European competition by PAOK, Naismith was officially installed as head coach with McAvoy his number two.
Following Davis’ appointment and his similar situation to Naismith’s, Rangers fans have been questioning if they’re about to see the same situation.
Alex Rae, one of the men brought in to assist Davis, has a Uefa Pro License and supporters have been speculating whether he may be required to fill a McAvoy-like role.
However, Uefa regulations will NOT prevent Davis from being in charge in the Europa League- and it’s down to his status as a caretaker manager.
The Uefa Pro License is only required for a PERMANENT boss to manage in European competitions – or a manager who is in charge for a period of 12 weeks or more.
Therefore, Davis’ lack of a Pro License would only become an issue should he be appointed permanent Rangers manager and/or he’s in post for three months or longer.
It’s a crunch week for Rangers who take on St Mirren on Sunday.
The Light Blues head into the game in Paisley in third place, with the Buddies currently sitting a place and three points above them.
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