A NICE LITTLE RETURNER
Davis says title glory is one up on detractors who urged him to never go back to Rangers
STEVEN DAVIS insists winning a momentous title in the history of Rangers proves he was right to ignore anyone who said you should never go back.
The Ibrox veteran has been instrumental in the squad’s Premiership triumph with a succession of top-class displays.
At the age of 36, the midfielder has rolled back the years and there is more to come with a return to the Champions League next season, having penned a one-year contract extension.
Davis is loving life. On Thursday, he’s set to equal Peter Shilton’s British record of 125 international caps by leading Northern Ireland into battle against Italy in Parma.
He has bounced into the national camp with another cherished championship medal in his pocket and admits his own feelings of sheer delight encapsulate the current mood around Rangers.
Davis explained: “This title is a momentous trophy in terms of the club’s history and everything it means, so it was a huge moment of personal pride as well.
“When we won it, there was an outpouring of emotion from everybody involved.
“To get over the line in such an important season for the club and having not won it for so long, it feels like a great achievement. It’s thoroughly deserved because the boys have been excellent.
“I wasn’t getting much playing time at Southampton and I wanted to go to a club that would challenge me and give me that bit between my teeth.
“There was a real draw to go back to Rangers because of the way I feel about the club.
“Everyone always says: ‘Never go back.’ But it was too big a draw for me to return to Rangers, be part of something again and to get the opportunity to try to win trophies.
“I always felt we were well positioned to challenge. Even last season I thought we had the quality to put in a charge for the title but, for whatever reason, we fell away a little bit.
“The manager added to the squad and made it better in terms of overall quality and everybody that has come in stepped up.
“We have good quality and a real togetherness – it’s been a wonderful season.
“You don’t know when these opportunities will come around again with me getting a little bit older. I tried to take it all in and enjoy it as much as possible.
“That’s been my approach to football over the last couple of years. I have no plans on retiring but you don’t know how long you will play on for.
“Lifting the title was something we all dreamed about at the start of the season. But to win it for the club, the manager Steven Gerrard, the staff, the board, each other and our fans was such an incredible feeling.”
Signing the new deal is proof the title triumph is no fairytale finale for Davis. Gerrard’s seasoned campaigner has more to do as Rangers look to build on their league win.
Short term, there’s a Scottish Cup to be won this season. Next term, the Champions League group stage is a target along with more silverware as the club looks to grow.
Davis said: “It has to be a platform and we still have much to play for this season.
“The Scottish Cup will begin after the international break. Looking beyond that, once you win something it gives you that appetite to have that feeling again and again.
“The boys will have that desire and I’m sure in the summer the manager will try to make us even stronger and will push us even harder.
“That’s something about the manager, he demands a lot from the boys and keeps pushing us to improve which is obviously a good thing.
“He is excellent. It was a great appointment by the club and even with everything he did as a player it was a brave appointment and everyone has been proved right.
“He’s grown in the job and is continuing to learn as you would stepping into a massive club and being a manager for the first time. The staff the gaffer
This title is momentous in terms of the club’s history... it was a huge moment
brought in have been excellent as well and he has been a real driving force in us winning the Premiership.
“Everyone can see in our performances and how we set up all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
“It is a privilege to play at Rangers and I’m proud to continue for another season.
“I’m really excited for the future and to hear the famous
Champions League music at Ibrox once again.”
Davis now turns his attention to the international scene and a history-making outing in Italy.
He could be sole holder of the UK appearance record by the time he returns to Glasgow with a clash against Bulgaria at Windsor Park also looming at the end of the month.
He admitted: “I’d bite your hand off to play in another
STEVEN DAVIS major tournament. We all know the difficulty in trying to do that but that’s the dream.
“You dream of playing for your country, it means so much every time.
“To be in a position to be so close to breaking the British record is quite staggering. It’s actually difficult to take in at times.
“There’s been a lot of hard work that has gone into it and a lot of sacrifices so if I manage to do it I’ll be extremely proud.”
of personal pride for me as well