PLY THE BEST
KYLE LAFFERTY tried to convince Steven Davis to run out for his record-equalling Northern Ireland appearance tonight wearing goalkeeping gloves.
The stunt was to be a nod to Pat Jennings, the legend with whom the Rangers midfielder will draw level in the Windsor Park cap count.
It could just as easily have been in recognition of the 35-yearold’s safe hands in carrying his national side for the best part of a decade.
Laf ferty insists there are no words which can do justice to the job Davis has done for his country. He reckons only the magical talents of the late, great George Best can rival the Ibrox linchpin for the title of greatest-ever Northern Irish player.
Tonight against Norway will see Davis earn his 119th cap.
It will be added to an honours list that includes three SPL titles, two Scottish Cups, three Scottish League Cups, a UEFA Cup runners-up medal and the distinction of leading his country to a first major finals in 30 years when Northern Ireland made it to Euro 2016. There’s also an MBE.
Davis still wants more. While it’s all about breaking records for country, it’s about burying them for club as he looks to stop Celtic’s pursuit of an historic 10 in a row.
Despite turning 36 midway through what promises to be a seismic season, Lafferty reckons his pal is more than capable of achieving both aims.
He said: “There are no words to describe Davo on and off the park. He is one of a kind and will go down as one of Northern Ireland’s greatest players along with George Best.
“We are actually trying to get him to walk out on to the pitch against Norway wearing a pair of goalkeeping gloves as a bit of a joke! Pat will be watching so it would be a bit of a laugh.
“But, in all seriousness, what Davo has done for Northern Irish football is remarkable. The record speaks for itself. He is one of, if not the, best I have ever shared a pitch with and he is a gentleman off the field as well.
“He makes the game so easy. He reads it well, he can take the sting out of the game or he can raise the tempo if we are needing that to chase a goal.
“He has come face to face with some of the best players in the world and he has come out on top.
“You can go way back to that famous win over England at Windsor Park in 2005. It must have been one of his first caps.
“It’s still one of the country’s biggest results. He set up the goal for David Healy and he was outstanding that night up against Gerrard, Lampard and Beckham.
“That’s just the way he has been all through his international career.
“Everyone knows George Best was one of the best players in the world but Davo is about to become the highest-capped player ever to pull on the green and it speaks volumes for the guy he is.
“As a footballer he is right up there with Best.”
Lafferty is adamant that Davis’ importance for his club is every bit as strong as for his country.
He said: “When you see Rangers without him there’s something missing, as there was against Livingston. Then he comes back in against Kilmarnock and Hamilton and he was probably man of the match.
“He just keeps things simple. He never panics.
“I can remember training with him and I used to hate being in the other team because you just couldn’t get the ball off him. “This is a huge season for Rangers obv i ous l y and a massive one for D av o
and he deserves to have success. He is a winner, he hates losing and you’d expect that to be a massive thing this season for club and country.
“Davo drives teams forward and that is why we have been successful with Northern Ireland in recent years.
“The hunger is there. He is always wanting more for club and country.
“I would not be surprised if we are having this conversation again in two or three years’ time.”
Davis claims he is more interested in reaching another major tournament than breaking caps records.
The Rangers midfielder will also move within six of Peter Shilton’s tally of 125 for the most international appearances by any one of the Home Nations players.
He said: “Every time I pull on the jersey, it’s a really proud moment for me. To match an icon like Pat is something I will be able to look back on more when I finish playing and be delighted with.
“I’m aware of Peter Shilton’s record because people have told me. Listen, it would be nice to do, but I wouldn’t say it would be my ultimate goal.
“I just want to try and enjoy my football, get as much out of it as possible and get to another major tournament. That’s my dream.
“There have been quite a few memories. England, Spain, the Greece game, for me getting a couple of goals to see us through, then the whole experience of the Euros.
“We’ve had a little bit of success, but it leaves you wanting more and we’ve got a great opportunity over the next couple of months to create another little bit of history.”
He has faced the best in world and he has still come out on top