Baraclough has impressed us alreadyandcan keep good times rolling: Davis
STEVEN Davis has played for three Northern Ireland managers. Come September, when international football returns, Ian Baraclough will become No.4.
Lawrie Sanchez, Nigel Worthington and Michael O’neill had varying degrees of success. The Baraclough era is here and, like his predecessors, the Leicester native will look to the dynamic Davis to produce inspirational performances that began in a green shirt 15 years ago and have continued ever since.
Speak to the Rangers midfielder and it’s clear he has respect for Baraclough, promoted following an impressive stint in charge of the Under-21s. Davis will do all that he can to help the new boss become a hit in the big gig, knowing that the glory of a Euro 2020 finals spot is just two games away for both of them.
Having revelled in captaining Northern Ireland at Euro 2016, Davis is desperate for another shot.
Beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off semi-final on October 8 is a must, with the prospect of a Windsor Park winner-takes-all decider against the Republic of Ireland or Slovakia on November 12 sending shivers down the spine of even Davis, whose composure on the pitch is matched by his calmness off it.
At 35 and with 117 caps to his name, the Ibrox star remains Northern Ireland’s most influential footballer. He leads by example and every team-mate and fan appreciates that, if he shines in the Euro 2020 play-offs, there is every chance Baraclough will be taking the nation to the finals next summer.
Enjoying family time in Southampton during lockdown and training with Rangers since the middle of the month, Davis has been keeping a close eye on the IFA’S quest to replace O’neill.
Always honest in his views, the Windsor legend told the Belfast Telegraph: “I think it is a good appointment. What a great time for Ian to come in and get the job. To be two games away from taking Northern Ireland to a major tournament is incredible.
“Ian has obviously been involved with the senior set-up on a few occasions when Michael (O’neill) brought him in and he was helping Michael with preparation for the Euro 2020 playoffs that were supposed to take place in March when Michael was busy at Stoke.
“Any conversation I have had with Ian or any time he has come into the fold with us I have been impressed, and any feedback I have had from the boys, they seem to have enjoyed his sessions.
“It is a natural progression. A lot of countries have gone down that route recently, promoting from within.
“We have had a decent amount of success over the last number of years and he will recognise that and not want to change too much, but any manager will want to put their own stamp on things as well. That’s to be expected.
“I think in general, with the importance of the games coming up and the fact they are a great opportunity to qualify for another major tournament, hopefully it will be a smooth transition.
“Everybody is going to be totally fired up anyway because we want to give ourselves the best chance possible to reach the Euro finals again. We know what it was like four years ago in France and the players will be hungry to experience that all over again.”
Davis and O’neill had a special bond. Will it be strange having to form a new relationship after almost a decade?
“Everyone has a strong connection with Michael because of what we built in his time,” said the midfielder.
“I loved my time under Mi
chael and the success we had. The situation is that he has moved on and now I am looking forward to working with Ian.
“Why I think it will be very smooth is because there is such a big carrot for us to have more success and for the new manager to achieve something straight away.
“The most important thing for the boys and Ian is to try and keep our momentum going.
“We have managed to qualify or be there or thereabouts in the last few tournaments and it is vital we keep that going for as long as possible. It is also important we keep that energy within the team.
“With the play-off games not happening in March everyone will be looking forward to meeting up again to play the Nations League games in September (against Romania and Norway) and then the play-off semi-final in October.
“It is good to have the Nations League games before the Bosnia match to get us used to how we want to play again and putting everyone back over that.
“Ian did a great job with the Under-21s and a number of them have come and made appearances with the senior side. That is good for him because he knows the young players coming through and I am sure that he will be looking to promote some more.
“Ultimately what we all want is success for Northern Ireland and together we will strive to try and achieve that.”