They say you never lose it. It can be misplaced, however. The fickle business of professional football has claimed a multitude of victims. Youngsters are blown up by praise only to be deflated by the reality of the game. Steve Davis, now playing in the Rangers midfield, could give a masterclass on how the game can suddenly turn viciously malevolent.

Davis has been damned by the strongest of praise. Famously, Lawrie Sanchez, his then manager at Northern Ireland, said Davis would be "the next Frank Lampard". Less conspicuously, Sir Alex Ferguson called him "the nearest thing to a young Roy Keane". The Manchester United manager was also said to be keeping tracks on the midfielder before the player's career was derailed.

The beginnings were more than promising. Davis rose seemingly effortlessly through the ranks. He was a member of the Aston Villa FA Youth Cup winning side of 2002, signing professional terms a year later. He made his debut in September 2004. A year on, he became a full internationalist and he also played in the defeat of England in 2006.

He was then the rising star.

The season of 2005-2006 was a triumph. He was voted the player of the season for the club. The debate seemed to be about how Villa could keep him from a top-four club.

So what happened? Why is he not starring for Martin O'Neill's rejuvenated Villa team instead of resurrecting his career at Rangers?

The answer seems simple. When the tide turned at Villa, Davis was left beached. Sources in Birmingham say he was regarded as neat, tidy and industrious. "A bits and pieces player" was the less than overwhelming verdict of one coach.

O'Neill wanted more. He got Stilyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker for about £6m each. Both have failed to be spectacular signings but Davis's fall seemed to be precipitous. His first mistake was his destination when leaving Villa for £4m. He joined Sanchez in London to try to recreate the international magic at club level. When the former Northern Ireland manager became the former Fulham manager, Davis was left with a rapidly diminishing future at the club.

The move to Rangers was welcomed by the Ballymena youngster. If nothing else, the Ibrox club has a player keen to put his career back on track.

Rangers have already benefited from his presence. His debut against Panathinaikos at Ibrox was rewarded with a generous man of the match award that could be filed under "Welcome to Scotland and here's a bottle of bubbly". He has, though, slowly become more influential in a crucial area for Rangers.

As the season enters its decisive phase, there has been a feeling - accepted by insiders at the club - that the team is vulnerable to injuries in key areas. There is no secret about this. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, has already commented on the importance of his defensive triumvirate of Allan McGregor, Carlos Cuellar and David Weir. He has moved to reinforce that area by recruiting Christian Dailly from West Ham.

Dailly has the added bonus of being able to play in the holding role in midfield. But Smith needed someone to replace the injured Kevin Thomson immediately and be available to replace Barry Ferguson if the captain succumbed to injury or fatigue.

So far, the signs look good for Rangers and Smith. Davis has improved with each game and kept Thomson out of the team against Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday.

Rangers have a more simple midfield strategy than Celtic. While Strachan tries to make it the bridge of his ship, dictating the direction and the speed of play, for Smith it is the engine room, all sweat and industry with the occasional flurry of inspiration. Rangers intend to storm to the title rather than cruise to it. The central midfield is therefore less of a challenge to the Rangers manager.

Ferguson has put the dog days of Paul Le Guen behind him and is, justifiably, an automatic selection. Smith has now two candidates to play alongside his captain in Thomson, who was improving before his injury, and Davis, who is stating his case quietly but impressively.

Smith seems determined now to play 4-4-2 in domestic fixtures and this has been vindicated by 10 consecutive wins in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. But how will the Rangers manager set up his team for the three Old Firm fixtures?

This is where Davis could prove his worth. Smith, particularly if his side goes into the fixtures with a lead in the championship, is likely to face Celtic with 4-1-4-1 formation or even a 4-5-1. There could, therefore, be room for both Thomson and Davis as foils to Ferguson as the Rangers manager seeks to protect a points lead.

Smith, who may be as surprised as anyone about the form of his team, knows that the expectation among Rangers supporters is that the league is now eminently winnable.

Davis may be instrumental in whether the title is lost or even misplaced.