Rangers need to get rid of a flop who makes more than Cantwell.
This summer, Rangers must replace a player who has failed to impress at Ibrox.
Glasgow Rangers’ resurgence under Philippe Clement has been truly extraordinary. The recent 2-2 draw with Benfica in the Europa League last-16 first leg demonstrated how far they’ve come since the Belgian took over.
Under Michael Beale, the Light Blues would have lost the game, but in recent months, the team has developed a never-say-die attitude.
The success in Lisbon came despite Rangers lacking four wingers, forcing Clement to rejig his starting lineup, yet they go into the second leg with a strong chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
This transition over the last six months from a team on its knees to one that has the potential to win three trophies has been extraordinary, especially given the roster the 49-year-old coach has inherited.
Several players are not up to the requisite quality, and some are paid outrageously exorbitant wages, with defender Ben Davies being the most notorious example.
Not only that, but the former Liverpool centre-back earns more than several experienced first-team players, including Todd Cantwell.
How much Ben Davies earns at Rangers
Davies joined the Light Blues for £4 million during the 2022 summer transfer window, as Giovanni van Bronckhorst sought to strengthen his backline for the next season.
The 28-year-old received a weekly pay of £27,000, making him one of the club’s biggest earners.
| Top ten highest earners at Rangers | |
|---|---|
| Player | Wage |
| Connor Goldson | £37k-p/w |
| James Tavernier | £30k-p/w |
| Ben Davies | £27k-p/w |
| Cyriel Dessers | £27k-p/w |
| Danilo | £26k-p/w |
| Kemar Roofe | £26k-p/w |
| Jack Butland | £25k-p/w |
| Rabbi Matondo | £23k-p/w |
| Todd Cantwell | £22k-p/w |
| John Lundstram | £22k-p/w |
| Via Salary Sport | |
The transfer has not gone as well as expected, and Clement may decide to send him on this summer in order to raise funding for other projects.
Ben Davies’ Rangers statistics
In his debut season at Ibrox, Davies played 38 appearances across all competitions. However, due to fitness concerns, he only started 11 games until Van Bronckhorst was fired in November 2022.
During his three starts in the Champions League, the Gers conceded 12 goals. Davies ranked 14th in tackles per game (one), sixth in possession lost per game (10.3), and 18th in average Sofascore rating (6.23), indicating poor performance as the Light Blues struggled in Europe’s elite club competition.
The transfer has not gone as well as expected, and Clement may decide to send him on this summer in order to raise funding for other projects.
Ben Davies’ Rangers statistics
His first season at Ibrox saw Davies play 38 matches in all competitions, yet the early part of the campaign saw him suffer with a few injury issues, and he ended up starting just 11 games before Van Bronckhorst was sacked in November 2022.
His three starts in the Champions League saw the Gers concede 12 goals, while Davies ranked in a lowly 14th spot in the squad for tackles per game (one), along with ranking sixth for possession lost per game (10.3), as well as 18th for average Sofascore rating (6.23), indicating that his performances were poor as the Light Blues struggled in Europe’s elite club competition.
The defender made blunders domestically, particularly against Celtic in a critical Premiership match in April 2023.
Anything except a win for the Rangers would have been devastating in the chase for the league championship. The match was tied at 1-1 until a long ball was delivered over the top of the Gers defenders, which Davies failed to clear, allowing Celtic to score their second goal.
Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller criticized the error in the media.
“It’s an excellent finish. When the opportunity presents itself, he remains attentive, alive, and ruthless. However, Ben Davies’ performance is quite terrible. He should be traveling that way.”
Davies has made 12 appearances this season, but just six under Clement, indicating he is not in his future plans.
Ben Davies’ future at Rangers is unknown.
Stoke City expressed interest in the centre-back after the 2022/23 season, however Davies was not sold for the 2023/24 season.
Last summer, the Gers turned down a loan offer from Stoke City to bring the former Liverpool star back down south, allowing him to stay in Glasgow.
His contract does not expire until 2026, which means Clement may be able to trade him for a reasonable rate this summer.
Given that he makes more than Cantwell, his departure will free up some of the salary bill for future entrants.
How much does Todd Cantwell make at Rangers?
The former Norwich City wonder now makes £22k per week at Ibrox, which is £5k less than Davies’ current salary.
Considering how important the midfielder has become over the previous few months under Clement, it is hard to believe that Davies is earning more than him at present.
Todd Cantwell’s Rangers stats this season
The Englishman had a difficult start to the season, not scoring his first goal until November, but this appeared to be the trigger that sparked his campaign.
Since his impressive performance against Sparta Prague in the Europa League, Cantwell has scored five goals and provided two assists in his preferred No. 10 role.
Cantwell is a crucial member of the Premiership squad, ranking fourth in goals and assists (eight), fifth in major chances created (four), fourth in critical passes per game (1.6), and fifth in successful dribbles per game (1.1).
He has missed the past four games due to a hamstring injury, and the sooner Clement can return him to the starting lineup, the better, especially with the games coming thick and fast in the coming weeks.
The Light Blues have a great opportunity of winning three domestic titles this season, and much will rely on how far they proceed in Europe, since this might jeopardize their objectives at home.
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