Steven Davis has already etched his place in Rangers history but a few more chapters could still be added. 

The Northern Irishman was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for his unforgettable contributions over two spells at Ibrox. 

Four league titles, six domestic cups and two European Cup finals will allow Davis to reminisce fondly on his Ibrox career when retirement comes - but that moment hasn’t arrived yet. 

Like fellow veterans Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield, Davis’ contract expired this summer but Michael Beale showed a touch of class towards the veteran midfielder. 

Rangers will allow Davis to complete his rehabilitation from a serious ACL injury at the club, while Beale refused to close the door on a potential return to playing.

He explained: “He is focused right now on not ending his career and getting back to playing.

“When I first came back I thought Davis had more time for him and five subs gives you a lot of options now as a coach.

“We played against Leverkusen and he came on and looked really strong in that game. Then we played Hibs in my first game and he came on for the last half hour and was outstanding.

“Then within the week he got a knee injury. If I go off that snapshot, he will be eight or ten months older – he won’t know, he might go through the rehab and maybe it won’t feel right.

READ MORE: Why the 'Steven Davis' role is a key part of Beale's plan

“We’ll get him ready, we’ll get him back to play and then the options are open. But you can’t rush into coaching because it has to be something you want to do.

“He’ll be in and around the first team as a normal player in terms of his rehab and then there will be a decision.

“At this moment in time, Steven has a real burning desire to play and we want to help him get back to that. He’s a Hall of Fame player here and it’s the wrong way for him to end in a training ground accident.

“It’s important Steven’s ambition is to get back playing and for me as a coach to help him have that option.”

There can be no dubiety regarding whether Rangers have made the correct decision here. Football can be a cruel and unforgiving business, so it's a sign of Davis' reputation inside the building that special dispensation has rightly been applied.

There were considerable fears that Davis’ playing career was over when news emerged in December of his ACL injury. 

He will be approaching his 39th birthday when he’s expected to return to fitness towards the end of the year. Even still, the British record cap holder isn't ready to hang up his boots just yet.

It’s impossible to predict how Davis' recovery will progress, and the extent to which he will be able to hypothetically contribute if indeed a playing return were to materialise. 

An ACL is a devastating injury and speaking definitively about a return would be impetuous. It’s simply too early to draw conclusions and Davis must be afforded time with his rehab. 

He only made one substitute appearance under Beale in the 3-2 win over Hibernian but how the Rangers boss utilised him - and what he said about that showing - offered a glimpse of the role Davis still had to play.

“He was going to be a key player between now and the end of the season so I'm gutted we've lost him,” Beale said.

“He gives us something different. He's very assured and calm. I don't think we can replace Steven Davis and what he gives us. We will replace it in different ways but we won't replace it the same.

“Having seen him in the two games since I returned I think he had at least 18 months left at this level, certainly now with five subs. You don't need players to play 90 minutes anymore.”

Davis offers something different to the other midfielders on Rangers’ books. He can slow down the tempo of games and provide control, utilising his calmness, experience and game intelligence. 

With five substitutions now available, a manager's options are increased.

Davis isn’t going to be a regular starter for Rangers, but his experience from the bench in the closing stages could offer an attractive option to Beale while also allowing the midfielder to receive a fitting send-off for a decorated career. 

Ultimately, there’s no need to rush a decision over Davis’ future and a role at Ibrox beyond his playing career has been mooted by Beale.

He wants a ‘Rangers legacy’ to be present within his staff and Davis has made no secret to pursue coaching when he calls it a day. 

A move into the coaching staff seems the logical step for Davis - if he chooses that path - and a hybrid role next season shouldn’t be ruled out.