‘Outstanding’ – Brian Kerr blown away by Rangers player in final year of his contract
Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr heaped praise on Rangers midfielder Steven Davis ahead of Northern Ireland’s defeat to Slovakia on Thursday night.
Davis, 35, has been one of the stars of the season at Ibrox this term, appearing 15 times in all competitions and playing all but three of the Gers’ Scottish Premiership fixtures.
On Thursday night, the former Southampton and Aston Villa midfielder played all 120 minutes of Northern Ireland’s extra-time defeat to Slovakia in the Euro 2021 play-offs.
It denied Northern Ireland’s spot at the European Championships next summer, dealing a huge blow to Davis in what could have been in final chance to reach a major international competition.
Ahead of the game, ex-Ireland boss Kerr raves about the Ibrox midfielder and his ability to lead a team.
“Steven Davis has been an outstanding progressional. At club level, he had a long spell at Southampton, he was a very, very good player in the Premier League,” Kerr told Virgin Media Sport.
“Even if he wasn’t in the team at Southampton, he was always brilliant for Northern Ireland and he’s continued that at Rangers.
“He’s a great fella. He’s a smashing lad on and off the pitch. I came across him a couple of times here and there and he’s just a sound fella and I’d say he’s brilliant for any manager to work with.
“He’s someone a manager can rely on. He sets the standards among, he would ensure the behaviour is spot on. He would set the example of what’s expected.”
Davis was so unlucky to lose on Thursday night.
While all us Scottish football fans are celebrating the penalty shoot-out victory over Serbia to qualify for the European Championships, it’s easy to forget about the pain that Davis must be feeling right now.
He is Northern Ireland’s all-time record appearance holder and deserves to play in the Euros as much as anyone else.
It remains to be seen what Davis will do now because you would imagine international retirement would be on the cards.
Davis’ contract at Ibrox expires next year so he might want to stop playing for his country to potentially play for an extra year at Rangers.
In other Rangers news, Ryan Jack’s wife has hit out at an Aberdeen-based fan for his comments about the Gers star.