Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has outlined his hopes and aspirations to continue playing next season and his desire to ease his frustrations in the current campaign by finishing it in the strongest possible way.
Culminating ahead of tonight’s friendly against Hungary at Windsor Park, the 37-year-old Rangers star has suggested that if he is in a ‘good place mentally and physically’ this summer he would like to continue what will be sweet music to the ears of Northern Ireland supporters who never want to imagine life without the legendary midfielder.
After scoring his 13th international goal in Friday’s 3-1 win at Luxembourg, Davis will earn his 134th cap at home to Hungary and, as always, will receive a raucous welcome from the fans.
After his last international game in Belfast – a 0-0 draw with Italy in November – it was feared it would be his last Windsor appearance, but he is back tonight and hope for all those linked to Northern Ireland is that all time great will be around for some time to come.
Asked about the prospect of continuing to play next season, Davis replied, “Yeah, I hope so. I think it’s important, especially as you get older, you can’t look too far ahead and it’s important that I finish this season strong and go from there.
“I just want to focus on my football and enjoy my football and hopefully I’m in a good position mentally and physically to continue.”
Davis has been asked the question of retirement many times. Others would have snapped already, but this most graceful footballer always responds in a polite and measured manner.
“I think I was asked so many questions about it last campaign, maybe it was a bit frustrating, but I can understand that summer is coming and I’m out of contract and whatever goes with it,” Davis said of it.
“You are always thinking, like I said after the last campaign, it was about thinking and there were so many questions, would I retire or not? It was never really in the forefront of my mind,” he added.
