Gerrard ‘axes’ trio amidst Ibrox changes for 56 | OneFootball

Not really been mentioned by too many fans this season is the continuing absences of veterans Steven Davis and Allan McGregor, not to mention the entire disappearance of Jermain Defoe.

Indeed, Steven Gerrard, previously deeply reliant on the first two and sparingly using the latter has started to phase all three of them out, and while McGregor and Davis will certainly be back here and there, we think it’s very much for the best.

We love both Greegsy and Davo, but at their age now we simply cannot rely on them, and neither of them has been able to produce even close to their best form this season.

But unlike regular fan scapegoats Connor Goldson and James Tavernier, Davo and Greegsy do not have age on their side and are a lot more likely to be rested more often now.

In McGregor’s case, he’s not been fit at all this season – age has come to the keeper who basically put his last remaining energy into 55, and in truth his performances, especially in the second half, were absolutely world class. But now his body is breaking down from it, and his assurance between the sticks has definitely begun to dry up.

As for Davo, he did the same – gave it all last season but this one not only is he looking leggy and off the pace, he’s also being asked to completely cover the Ryan Jack defensive role, something he’s never been great at. So he’s struggling.

And Stevie G needs as many men to be at their best as possible.

Therefore Jon McLaughlin has, for now, taken up a lot more goalkeeping responsibilities than before, while Robby McCrorie waits in reserve. Meanwhile John Lundstram’s improving form has impressed everyone, and is definitely making lighter work of what Davis was trying to do.

And Jermain Defoe, it seems, has unofficially retired, with his playing abilities only getting called up in case of absolute emergency. And that’s absolutely fine, he can offer more in coaching.

So while we have not seen the last of the three of them, expect an awful lot less of this trio in the shirt this season. They won’t be at their best much any more, but they all deserve this one last hurrah.