Ben Davies is one of those rare players whose career path has quietly crossed the fierce divide between Celtic FC and Rangers FC—even if it almost looked very different at one point.
Back in 2021, Celtic were in the middle of a turbulent campaign under Neil Lennon. Their bid for a historic tenth consecutive Scottish Premiership title was slipping away, and defensive frailties were a major concern. With players like Kristoffer Ajer, Stephen Welsh, and Shane Duffy struggling for consistency, reinforcements at the back became a priority.
Davies, then at Preston North End, emerged as a serious target. Reports at the time suggested that Celtic were close to securing his signature, in what would have been a significant addition to their defensive line. However, just as the deal appeared to be nearing completion, Liverpool FC intervened.
Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool were dealing with an injury crisis of their own and moved swiftly to sign Davies, alongside Ozan Kabak. The sudden move to the Premier League ultimately proved too tempting, and Celtic were left empty-handed.
Ironically, Davies never made a senior appearance for Liverpool. A year later, his career took another twist—this time bringing him to Glasgow, but not to the side that had originally pursued him. Instead, he signed for Rangers in 2022 for a reported £3 million fee.
At Ibrox, Davies initially found opportunities, making 38 appearances across competitions under both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale. Despite a promising start, his role in the squad gradually diminished, and regular game time became harder to secure.
Subsequent loan spells followed, including a stint at Birmingham City, before Davies made a late move to Oxford United. However, even there, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, featuring only sparingly this season.
Now approaching the end of his contract with Rangers, Davies’ future appears uncertain. With Oxford United battling to avoid relegation in the Championship, the defender faces a crucial period that could define the next stage of his career.
Looking back, it’s a story filled with “what ifs.” Had Liverpool not stepped in back in 2021, Davies might have worn the green and white of Celtic instead of the blue of Rangers. In Scottish football, where rivalries run deep, that near-miss only adds another intriguing chapter to an already unusual career journey.
