Deft Davis will keep eyes on prize for Shiels
As Ibrox icon prepares for another milestone, team-mate and pal reveals secrets to his success
THE praise and the plaudits are nothing new for Steven Davis. It is the pursuit of points and prizes that continues to drive and inspire him.
On Sunday, the Northern Irishman will make his 300th appearance for Rangers if, as expected, he lines up for Steven Gerrard’s side against Motherwell. In a career of milestones and silverware, it will be another notable achievement and a source of personal pride.
It is unlikely to weigh on his mind, however. Davis was typically reserved and levelheaded when he surpassed the record of Pat Jennings to become Northern Ireland’s most capped player in October and a landmark at club level won’t distract him from the job in hand as Rangers set their sights on the Premiership title this season.
“He has had so many accolades, especially with Northern Ireland, and I don’t think he pays much attention to them,” said Dean Shiels, his long-time friend and former international team-mate.
“I think he will maybe look back when he is finished and then enjoy it more. With Steven, it is just onto the next game and looking towards success and winning trophies.
“Individual things are not really at the forefront of his mind, he is an unselfish player and he puts the team first so he will be thinking more about winning the game than the 300th appearance for Rangers.
“Looking at that Rangers team, I can see him being vital to the chemistry of the group in the changing room and using his experience to help the younger players.
“His actions on and off the pitch will make him a role model for the other players in the dressing room. He will be one that sets the standards every day in training and I am sure he is a managers’ dream.”
Davis may be in the twilight of his career, but he continues to shine brightly for club and country and his influence, both on the park and off it, remains as important as ever.
The 36-year-old is part of the leadership group within Gerrard’s squad and the levels of consistency he shows in matches is thanks to his professionalism and mindset on a daily basis.
Davis rarely attracts the headlines with his performances and never courts them with his public proclamations, but he is just the kind of person and player that every manager wants and needs.
Shiels said: “I grew up with him, I think we played together at nine or ten and then all the way up, and he is a great team-mate to have. That is what of the best things you can say about a player, that they are a great team-mate.
“Obviously everyone knows about his ability on the pitch as he drives teams forward. He has got that experience now where we dictates the tempo for Rangers, he knows when to slow it down, knows when to speed it up and that experience has been vital this year in the big games, as you have seen.
“Looking back over the last ten years, he has definitely been Rangers’ best midfielder over the past decade, and you could maybe even take that to 20 years. I don’t know. That is up for debate.”
It is evident in the way that managers and team-mates, both past and present, speak about Davis that he is as respected and admired as much for his personality as his performances.
From Ballymena, County Antrim, he has gone on to showcase his talents on the biggest stages for club and country. As he has done so, he has made many friends and few enemies.
We played together at nine or ten and then all the way up
“He is a laidback character, but so professional and so motivated,” Shiels said. “He is from a small place in Northern Ireland, he was brought up in a small area and he is humble.
“He has got good fun about him. He is quiet and reserved but a really good lad and you would certainly trust him.
“He is one that I have kept in touch with over the years and he is a great person on and off the pitch.
“People might not get to know him and that side of him, but I think every player that has played with him will not have a bad word to say about him. He is that kind of guy and I don’t know anyone that has got a bad word to say about Steven.
“He has been a phenomenal servant to the club and he deserves all the recognition he gets. He has been key to their success this season.”
Victory at Fir Park this weekend would be another small but significant step for Davis as he closes in on achieving the ambition he had when he returned to Ibrox from Southampton two years ago.
The Premiership title this term would add to the array of silverware he collected under Walter Smith’s guidance first time around. But it is unlikely to be his final act for his boyhood heroes as he looks to continue playing for his club and country beyond the summer.
Shiels said: “He is needed and he is a vital part for both Northern Ireland and Rangers. I don’t see him slowing down any way soon.
“He is smart, he is a clever footballer and he is vital for Northern Ireland and Rangers for the next couple of years.”