Daily Mirror

GREECE IS THE WORD FOR DAVIS

- BY DAVID ANDERSON

STEVEN DAVIS will take inspiratio­n from one of the greatest nights of his career for tonight’s clash.

Davis, 37, scored twice (above) as Northern Ireland beat Greece 3-1 at Windsor Park in 2015 to qualify for Euro 2016 and will always remember that emotional night.

“It was a really special, memorable night,” said the skipper. “There were a lot of different emotions going into the game, the pressure we put on ourselves more than anything else because we knew what it would mean for ourselves, our families and the nation.

“For the game to go the way it did, in terms of the performanc­e and the result, and being able to soak it in a little bit towards the end was really special. “Ultimately it led to the experience of a lifetime in France, so more of the same would be nice, although there’s not as much on this game.

“It has to rank as one of the best moments of my career, without a doubt. To achieve something like that as a group and that’s what we’re all striving for again.”

Davis’ club and internatio­nal futures are secure after he agreed a 12-month contract extension with Rangers.

“It was an easy conversati­on and an easy decision and now I’m looking forward to next season,” he added.

Northern Ireland have not won in their first 10 Nations League games and host Greece in Group C2 after dropping to the third tier.

Boss Ian Baraclough (above) claims the World Cup and Euros will always be more important.

He said: “We’re all desperate to win, but I’ve also got to balance that out with giving these players the experience”. LIKELY LINE-UP: PeacockFar­rell, McNair, Evans, Ballard, Bradley, McCann, Davis, Saville, Lane, Lavery, Lafferty

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