STEVEN DAVIS MBE, Rangers’ Hall of Fame midfielder, has today announced his retirement from professional football.
The Northern Irishman, 39, enjoyed two separate spells at Ibrox, playing a central role in four title triumphs, as well as lifting both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup on three occasions.
Davis has also represented his country over 130 times, including as captain at the 2016 European Championships, becoming the most capped British men’s footballer in the history of the game in March 2021.
His decision today brings to an end a glittering career in the game that spanned 20 years, which included spells at Aston Villa and Fulham prior to his initial move to Ibrox, as well as a further seven-year spell in the Premier League with Southampton.
Speaking after formally calling time on his playing career, Davis commented: “It’s a strange sensation today, but ultimately it has been at the back of my mind given the nature of the injury and my age.
“I did some testing four weeks ago and I realised I was still a little bit away. It feels like the time is right and I’m comfortable with it.
“It’s been an incredible journey to get to two European finals and win the trophies that I have, share those moments with the fans, be within the dressing room with your family after the games.
The midfielder initially joined Rangers from Fulham on a six-month loan deal under the guidance of the late Walter Smith in January 2008, wasting precious little time in helping the side reach the UEFA Cup final in the same season.
Indeed, Davis’ first goal for the club arrived in the run to Manchester in a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen at Ibrox. His first piece of silverware in Glasgow would soon follow, netting from the spot in the penalty shootout triumph over Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup.
The Northern Irishman also got his hands on the Scottish Cup in the same season, making his move to the Light Blues permanent in the summer before playing an integral role in the side’s league title success in 2008/09.
His solitary goal in a pivotal 1-0 Old Firm win in May propelled the Gers to the summit of the league table where they never looked back to secure a first title triumph in four years.
Davis would make it three in a row as part of a formidable Gers side under Walter Smith, with his individual contribution recognised in the 2009/10 campaign when he was voted PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year.
The following season also marked a third Scottish League Cup triumph in four attempts for the midfielder, providing the vital opening goal in a 2-1 extra time triumph over Celtic.
In the meantime, Davis’ stature continued to grow on the international stage, making his full Northern Ireland debut in 2005 and, within a year, being part of the famous 3-2 victory over Spain at Windsor Park for the Green and White Army.
The midfielder would depart for pastures new and the challenge of the Premier League with newly promoted Southampton in 2012.
From there, he was a central figure in a burgeoning Saints side whose trajectory soared under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino.
Indeed, it was the now-Chelsea manager who likened Davis to Xavi and Andres Iniesta, with the midfielder making over 200 appearances on the south coast.
At the same time, Davis was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to football.
Rangers came calling once again in January 2019, with the Northern Irishman making the move permanent in the summer.
It was from there that the Gers captured their 55th league title with Davis an ever-present in midfield. In fact, such was his individual contribution that he was voted Scottish Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in the 2020/21 campaign.
In the meantime, Davis celebrated the honour of being the most capped British men’s footballer in history when he made his 126th appearance for Northern Ireland in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Further silverware would arrive for the midfielder when he helped Rangers lift the Scottish Cup in 2022 – the third of his career – in the same campaign that the side defied the odds to reach the Europa League final.
His final act at Ibrox would be answering the call when the club required a caretaker manager to steer the ship in October, running out 3-0 winners away to St. Mirren in a fixture that kickstarted the side’s current run of 12 wins from their last 14 league outings.
You can watch an exclusive interview with the Hall of Fame midfielder on RangersTV tonight.