Steven Davis
Northern Ireland

  • Full name Steven Davis
  • Birth date January 1, 1985
  • Birth place Ballymena, Northern Ireland
  • Current age 39 years 88 days
  • Height 5 ft 10 in
Steven Davis in action
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Undoubtedly one of the top players in Scotland, Davis is a key figure for both Rangers and Northern Ireland. Captaining his country at the tender age of 21, he has enjoyed some famous nights in the green shirt and, domestically, he has three SPL title winners' medals to his name.

The midfielder first crossed the radar of the wider public when winning the FA Youth Cup with Aston Villa in 2002 in a famous win over Wayne Rooney's Everton. He didn't make his senior bow until 2004 but became popular with the fans and earned a regular place under David O'Leary. However, Martin O'Neill never really warmed to him and cited a lack of confidence. A £4 million sale to Fulham was sanctioned, where Davis linked up with former international boss Lawrie Sanchez - the man who tipped the youngster to win 100 caps for his country.

When Sanchez was replaced by Roy Hodgson, Davis lost his place and was loaned out to Rangers, appearing in the UEFA Cup final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg and winning the two domestic Scottish cup competitions. After much wrangling during the summer, a £3 million move enabled him to represent his boyhood idols on a permanent basis.

Davis produced a string of consistent performances, even from a wider role, and scored an Old Firm winner against Celtic en route to the Double. The following year, in 2010, he picked up the SPFA Players' Player of the Year award and another SPL title. The year of 2011 then saw Davis help Rangers retain their SPL crown, in addition to winning the League Cup.

Davis left Rangers following the club's liquidation at the end of the 2011-12 season, joining newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton.

Strengths: Vision to supply defence-splitting passes allied to a tremendous work ethic. Looks to have a professional attitude and an unassuming nature but is willing to compete in midfield despite his smallish frame. Consistent.

Weaknesses: Admits he should score more goals and is reaching the stage where he needs to start dominating games from start to finish, particularly in the SPL.

Career high: Bagging the only goal against Rangers in May, 2009, was the domestic high but no moment can probably eclipse the night Northern Ireland defeated England at Windsor Park. Not only was Davis instrumental throughout but it was his clever pass that set up David Healy's memorable winner.

Career low: It's difficult to pinpoint any game and it's very unfair to pick up on this incident as he was otherwise impressive in the goalless draw against Italy in 2010. However, he became a YouTube hit when taking 'the worst corner ever' during the game, kicking the flag rather than the ball and seeing it dribble out for a goal-kick!

Style: Tidy, hard-working and purposeful, an ideal modern-day midfielder.

Quotes: "I made him the youngest player to captain Northern Ireland with good reason - his commitment, passion and enthusiasm for the game are hard to rival." Former Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez, 2007.

Trivia: Rangers could have saved themselves a few million pounds but they rejected Davis when he attended a trial with the club at the age of 12.

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Feb 6, 2011

Steven Whittaker celebrates scoring a penalty

Jan 30, 2011

Nikica Jelavic celebrates with Steven Naismith

Jan 2, 2011

Steven Whittaker and Georgios Samaras battle for the ball

Dec 7, 2010

Sercan Yildirim holds off Steven Whittaker

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