Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I don’t count caps, my 100th will be at the back of my mind..as soon as a ball’s kicked you’re in THE ZONE
Skipper Davis on his big milestone
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Jason Robinson became the first black player named to captain England in a rugby union Test. Winger led the side v Canada at Twickenham. (74) – Former West Ham and England star, who scored in 1966 World Cup win. (41) – Aussie pace legend. (36) – Ex-england, West Ham and Chelsea midfielder, currently playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. A MODEST man but a giant of a player destined to be remembered as one of Northern Ireland’s totem stars.
In years to come, the understated Steven Davis will be eulogised in the same elevated manner as Jackie Blanchflower, Billy Bingham and George Best.
He will stand alongside the legendary Pat Jennings and current team-mate Aaron Hughes as one of his country’s most capped players.
He will be remembered alongside Blanchflower, Martin O’neill and Sammy Mcilroy as one of only four players to captain Northern Ireland at a major tournament.
And he’ll go down as the technically gifted lieutenant who helped Michael O’neill suspend belief and weave dreams during an unforgettable period in the late 2010s.
Football history will be more than kind to Davis who will win his 100th cap in tomorrow night’s crucial World Cup play-off with Switzerland in Belfast.
Such is the Southampton midfielder’s humility, however, you suspect he’s relieved that a milestone moment will wrestle for headlines alongside such a high stakes game.
It says much of the man that a positive result against the Swiss ahead of Sunday’s return leg in Basel is eminently more important than entering Northern Ireland’s century club.
“I’m not really counting caps and it’ll be at the very back of my mind,” said Davis.
“It’s not my personality anyway but I don’t want anything to distract from our preparation.
“Obviously it’s a huge landmark and I’m very honoured to reach 100 caps but my focus is solely on the game. As soon as a ball is kicked, you’re in the zone.”
Davis, who lost his mum (and biggest fan) Laura to cancer in 2008, accepts the landmark moment will be a very special moment for dad David and family who will be at tomorrow’s game.
“It’ll be nice and they’ll be able to enjoy it a little more,” he said. “It’s an honour every time you get to represent your country. I’m very proud of where I’m from and the people here. To get the opportunity to represent them, you want to do your best every chance you get.
“Hopefully after the two games I can reflect on it and say it was a special time to achieve 100 caps, but we can only do that by winning and progressing.”
Davis, who described his personality as “laidback. I don’t get flustered”, was asked what it’s like to be billed as a Northern Ireland legend.
“Very nice, but it’s probably for other people to say,” he smiled. “I’m just very proud of what I’ve achieved in this shirt and I want to try and do that for as long as possible.”
Davis, who has played under three managers – Lawrie Sanchez, Nigel Worthington and O’neill – made his debut in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Canada in 2005.
At that time, Northern Ireland were in the midst of an 11-game winless streak.
Fast forward 12 years and Davis is bidding to take his country to back-to-back tournaments for the first time ever.
He said: “It’s been a hell of a ride over the last few years and we want to continue that for as long as possible. We want to continue to ride the crest of the wave.
“It’ll be tough against the Swiss, but we all understand the ramifications of the two results and it’s a great position to be in. We have everything to gain.”