CAPTAIN MARVEL UP WITH GREATS

NORTHERN IRELAND skipper Steven Davis can barely believe he will equal Peter Shilton’s record as Britain’s most-capped player in Parma tonight.

Davis will move level with Shilton’s 125 international appearances when he leads the team out for their opening World Cup qualifier against Italy.

“It’s quite incredible to be in that position where I have that number of caps - I don’t really know how to sum it up in words,” said the Rangers midfielder.

“It won’t be something I will be thinking about going into the game and the most important thing is to try and get off to a positive start in the campaign.

“Breaking the Northern

Ireland record was huge for me on a personal level. But to be able to get the British one, that’s something I will look back on with great pride, especially when I finish my career.”

Davis, 36, who has signed a contract extension to keep him at Ibrox next season, will break the record either in Sunday’s friendly against the USA or Wednesday’s

World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

“I’m feeling good and I’ve been enjoying my football at Rangers,” said the former Southampton star. “The team’s been playing well and I want to continue playing as well as I can.”

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough reckons Davis’ final caps total will stand for years. “It would be superb for him to set a new record and it’ll take some beating from anybody within Britain,” said Baraclough.

“Hopefully he extends that record well beyond these next two games.”

Davis’ first cap was under Lawrie Sanchez (inset) in 2005 and Baraclough says he is hugely respected by his team-mates because he is so grounded.

“Such is Steve’s character, he just gets on with his job and his role,” he said. “He goes about things quietly. When he comes down for meetings or dinner, he’s very unassuming. You can speak to him about anything. “He’s not loud, he’s not brash but there’s a calmness and assurance about him that everyone feeds off.”

Former England star Shilton says it would be fitting if Davis got to hang up his boots after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Shilton (below), who starred for England at the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups, said: “For a midfielder in particular to be able to break my record would be a great achievement.

“I think to get over 100 caps for an outfield player is some achievement and to gain more than that is a testament to his fitness and attitude towards wanting to play.

“I’m sure Steven could go on and win many more and hopefully finish it off by playing in a World Cup finals. I did that at Italia 90 and called it a day after that. I think it would be great if he could get to the World Cup.”