‘Speculation’ – International manager shares verdict on whispers around Rangers star
Northern Ireland boss Ian Barraclough has rubbished claims that Rangers midfielder Steven Davis is set to retire from international football.
The Bears veteran dropped out of the Northern Irish squad on Tuesday, and it was down to personal reasons as shared in a statement.
Davis will now miss the UEFA Nations League clash with Romania on Wednesday, a must-win game for his nation as they look for survival.
Many fans suggested that this could be the final time they see Davis for Northern Ireland and that the latest statement was “ominous.”
Barraclough has put an end to those rumours, claiming that everything he has seen suggests the complete opposite.
“The only people that have mentioned stuff like that are guys like yourself in the media. There’s where the speculation is coming from,” he said via Glasgow Live.
“There is still a hunger from the lads and the senior lads are there at the front driving it on. So no, I don’t see anything that tells me that Steven Davis is ready to not play.”
If it nothing to do with retirement, then it could be more likely that Davis could be doubtful for Sunday’s game against Aberdeen.
Should the 35-year-old have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19, or indeed have tested positive, that could see him out for two weeks.
With two massive games against the Dons and Benfica coming up at Ibrox, it would be a huge blow for the Bears to lose such experience.
Glasgow Live suggested in this report that should Davis miss out, Bongani Zungu could be given the chance for his first start – a big test for the South African.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson claims under-pressure Gers star is thriving