We’re Back In Top Shape

STEVEN DAVIS has been explaining how the Rangers players kept themselves ticking over during lockdown to ensure when they did return to training, they were in the best-possible shape.

Davis was impressed with the content given to both he and his teammates by Head of Performance Jordan Milsom and his staff as they prepare for what they hope will be another 60+ game season.

"Straight from the off,” began Davis, “the sports science team gave us individual programmes to try and keep ourselves ticking over.

"We are very fortunate here that we have a great medical team and a great sports science team headed up by Jordan. 

"We have all the information we need to try and get us in the best possible shape, and in-terms of recovery as well with the number of games that we have to play, and hopefully if we are going to be successful, we will have a lot of games to contend with.

"So it is important to try and do as much as possible to get yourself firstly in the best physical shape and then secondly, in-terms of recovery and nutrition as well."

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Davis has been fortunate in his career to avoid serious injury, and while there is an element of some luck to that, of course, he outlined some of the reasons why he is still playing at the top level aged 35.

The Northern Ireland legend continued:

"I just try to do as much as possible in-terms of pre-activation before I go out to train, and then massages and ice baths for recovery, as well as sleep and nutrition being key factors as well.

As well as a hectic period for Rangers, Davis will have seven or potentially eight international matches with Northern Ireland to come before the end of the year.

It will only be eight if they defeat Bosnia away from home in their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final – that match taking place in October as the Ulstermen target yet another berth at the European Championships.

"I'm really excited,” said David on the Bosnia clash. “It's a great time being potentially two games away from qualifying for the Euros.

"We know how difficult it will be - we played Bosnia a couple of times over the last couple of years and they have a lot of quality in their team, so we are not underestimating them, but we know we have the quality to go and win there."

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Steven Davis The Rangers Training Centre 02

One of the most iconic moments of Euro 2016, not only for Northern Ireland, but of the entire tournament, was Gareth McAuley’s opening goal against Ukraine in the torrential rain of Lyon.

This week, Rangers will, of course, be facing both Lyon and Nice in that very Groupama Stadium in the Trophee Veolia – this being the first time Davis will have returned to the ground since that famous evening.

He can’t wait to run out there once again, and of his last visit, he recalled: "It was a great day for us after the disappointment of the first game where we didn't really feel we put in a performance that showed our real qualities.

"To then go to Lyon and to beat Ukraine let us qualify for the next stage of the competition, so great memories from there, and we were based in Lyon as well so it will be nice to go back there."

WATCH THE FULL DAVIS INTERVIEW HERE


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