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Steven Davis

{{Short description|Northern Irish association football player}}

{{for|people with a similar name|Steve Davis (disambiguation)}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Steven Davis
{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}}}}

| image = Steven Davis, CZE-NIR 2019-10-14 (2).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Davis with Northern Ireland in 2019

| full_name = Steven Davis{{cite web |title=Squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/465277 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=23 December 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|1|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ballymena, Northern Ireland

| height = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2423/Steven-Davis/overview |title=Steven Davis: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=1 January 2019}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = St Andrews Boys Club

| youthyears2 = 2002–2004

| youthclubs2 = Aston Villa

| years1 = 2004–2007 |clubs1 = Aston Villa |caps1 = 91 |goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2007–2008 |clubs2 = Fulham |caps2 = 22 |goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2008 |clubs3 = → Rangers (loan) |caps3 = 12 |goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2008–2012 |clubs4 = Rangers |caps4 = 140 |goals4 = 18

| years5 = 2012–2019 |clubs5 = Southampton |caps5 = 193 |goals5 = 12

| years6 = 2019 |clubs6 = → Rangers (loan) |caps6 = 14 |goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2019–2023 |clubs7 = Rangers |caps7 = 85 |goals7 = 1

| totalcaps=557

|totalgoals=36

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U15

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 =

| nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U16

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 =

| nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U17

| nationalcaps3 = 8

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 =

| nationalteam4 = Northern Ireland U19

| nationalcaps4 = 8

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2003–2004

| nationalteam5 = Northern Ireland U21

| nationalcaps5 = 3

| nationalgoals5 = 0

| nationalyears6 = 2004

| nationalteam6 = Northern Ireland U23

| nationalcaps6 = 1

| nationalgoals6 = 1

| nationalyears7 = 2005–2022

| nationalteam7 = Northern Ireland

| nationalcaps7 = 140

| nationalgoals7 = 13

| manageryears1 = 2023

| managerclubs1 = Rangers (caretaker)

}}

Steven Davis {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE}} (born 1 January 1985) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made his full international debut in 2005 and made 140 appearances at senior level, scoring 13 goals, to become the most capped Northern Ireland player, also a record for any man from the British home nations. He captained his country at UEFA Euro 2016 where they reached the last 16.

Davis began his club career with English Premier League club Aston Villa in 2004. He was named "Young Player of the Year", "The Fans Player of the Year" and "Player of the Year" for the 2005–06 season after making 42 appearances during the season. He was sold to Fulham for £4 million in the summer of 2007, but moved on loan to Scottish club Rangers in January 2008 for an initial six months. He was part of the team that reached the 2008 UEFA Cup final and won the 2007–08 Scottish League Cup and 2007–08 Scottish Cup. At the end of the season, he moved to Rangers permanently for £3 million. He won three consecutive Scottish Premier League titles with the Glasgow club in 2009, 2010 and 2011, as well as one further Scottish Cup in 2009 and two more League Cups (2010 and 2011).

Following Rangers' liquidation in 2012, Davis exercised his rights under TUPE regulations to rescind his contract and become a free agent, returning to the Premier League with Southampton where he made over 200 appearances across six full seasons and captained the side for much of that time, which included twice qualifying for the Europa League from league position and reaching the 2017 EFL Cup final.

Davis returned to Rangers under manager Steven Gerrard in 2019. He won another Scottish league title in 2021 and another Scottish Cup in 2022, as well as reaching the 2022 UEFA Europa League final. He announced his retirement from playing in January 2024, having been absent through injury for over a year (during which he was briefly the interim manager of Rangers, taking charge of two matches). He made 371 appearances, with 28 goals, across his two spells at Ibrox.

Club career

=Aston Villa=

Davis, who was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, started his career at St Andrews Boys Club in the DAWFL, before transferring to Aston Villa in 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2014/senior/steven-davis-midfielder/ |title=Profile of Steven Davis |publisher=Irish Football Association |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-date=31 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531141557/http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2014/senior/steven-davis-midfielder/ |url-status=dead }} He was a member of the 2002 FA Youth Cup winning team that beat Everton 4–2 in the final.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1995546.stm |title=Villa lift FA Youth Cup |date=18 May 2002 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} His first professional appearance was on 18 September 2004, he was a 57th-minute replacement for Nolberto Solano in a goalless Premier League match against Norwich City at Carrow Road.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3647082.stm | title=Norwich 0–0 Aston Villa | work= BBC Sport | date= 18 September 2004}} Davis made 28 league appearances across the season, scoring the winner in a 3–2 comeback victory at Southampton on 16 April 2005.{{cite news |title=Southampton 2–3 Aston Villa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4427547.stm |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2005}}

On 13 August 2005, in Villa's first game of the new campaign, Davis volleyed past Jussi Jääskeläinen to secure a 2–2 home draw against Bolton Wanderers, albeit after nine minutes.{{cite news |title=Aston Villa 2–2 Bolton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4126966.stm |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2005}} He scored twice on 20 September in the third round of the Football League Cup, as Villa won 8–3 at Wycombe Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Wycombe 3–8 Aston Villa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4258542.stm |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2005}} By October 2005, he was a regular for the club and missed only one game for Villa in the 2005–06 season. Davis was named Villa's "Young Player of the Year", "The Fans Player of the Year" and "Player of the Year" for the 2005–06 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/2176/davis-cleans-up-at-villa-awards/ |title=Davis cleans up at Villa awards |date=5 May 2006 |publisher=Irish Football Association |access-date=12 May 2011}} His form prompted the Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, to state that Davis could be "another Frank Lampard".{{cite news |title=Sanchez says Davis could emulate Lampard |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/sanchez-says-davis-could-emulate-lampard-318798.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/sanchez-says-davis-could-emulate-lampard-318798.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=20 August 2005 |first=Kieran |last=Daley |access-date=5 December 2013}} Davis made 102 appearances for Villa and scored nine times.{{Soccerbase season|35928|2007|name=Steven Davis Aston Villa Stats|access-date=12 May 2011}} On 2 January 2006, he headed the first goal of a 2–1 win at rivals West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news |title=West Brom 1–2 Aston Villa |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4562606.stm |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2006}}

=Fulham=

In the summer of 2007, Davis followed teammate Aaron Hughes to Fulham on 5 July 2007 to team up with international manager Sanchez, for a fee of around £4 million.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6270420.stm |title=Fulham complete £4m Davis swoop |work=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2007}} He made his Fulham debut against Arsenal on 12 August 2007 and made 22 appearances for Fulham before moving to Rangers.{{Soccerbase season|35928|2007|access-date=12 May 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7221249.stm |title=Fulham's Davis loaned to Rangers |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2008}}

=Rangers=

On 31 January 2008, Davis was signed on a six-month loan by Rangers, the club he supported as a boy. He made his Rangers debut against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Cup on 13 February.{{cite news |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7236378.stm |title=Rangers 0–0 Panathinaikos |work=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2008}} He scored his first goal, again in European competition, against German team Werder Bremen.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7272692.stm |title=Rangers 2–0 Werder Bremen |work=BBC Sport |date=6 March 2008 |first=Colin |last=Moffat |access-date=22 September 2008}} Davis scored in the penalty shootout against Dundee United that won Rangers the League Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/mar/16/minutebyminute.sport2 |title=Dundee United 2–2 Rangers |date=16 March 2008 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 December 2013}} He also helped the team reach the 2008 UEFA Cup Final,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7393752.stm |title=Zenit St Petersburg 2–0 Rangers |date=14 May 2008 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 May 2011}} and won the Scottish Cup in May.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7418513.stm |title=Scottish Cup final as it happened |date=24 May 2008 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 May 2011}}

Davis made his move from Fulham permanent on 21 August 2008 in a transfer worth £3 million, signing a four-year contract.{{cite news |date=21 August 2008 |title=Fulham's Davis moves to Rangers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7565732.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 August 2008}} He made his first appearance of the season a day later against Aberdeen, a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7575840.stm |title=Aberdeen 1–1 Rangers |work= BBC Sport |date= 23 August 2008}} He scored his first goal since his move became permanent against Motherwell.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/match/match-reports/2008-09/item/1650-rangers-2-1-motherwell |title=Rangers 2–1 Motherwell |access-date=5 December 2013 |first=Andrew |last=Dickson |publisher=Rangers F.C. |date=21 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064140/http://www.rangers.co.uk/match/match-reports/2008-09/item/1650-rangers-2-1-motherwell |archive-date=22 February 2014}} He scored the only goal in the final Old Firm derby of the season on 9 May 2009 to take Rangers to the top of the SPL by two points.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8032832.stm |title=Rangers 1–0 Celtic |date=9 May 2009 |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 May 2011}} Davis won the SPL title and Scottish Cup with Rangers in the 2008–09 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/5413108/Rangers-1-Falkirk-0-Scottish-Cup-Final-2009-match-report.html |title=Rangers 1 Falkirk 0: Match report |last=Forsyth |first=Roddy |date=30 May 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=12 May 2011}}

Davis scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season against St. Mirren on 27 January.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8480383.stm |title=St Mirren 0–2 Rangers |date=27 January 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} He continued his goalscoring form against Falkirk in the next game, curling a free kick into Bobby Olejnik's top right hand corner.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8485445.stm |title=Rangers 3–0 Falkirk |date=30 January 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} Davis's performances in January 2010 earned him the SPL Player of the Month award. He was also named PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year on 2 May 2010, and won the SPL and Scottish League Cup for the second time each.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8657569.stm |date=2 May 2010 |work=BBC Sport |title=Davis crowned player of the year}}

Davis scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season against Motherwell at Ibrox in October 2010, when he collected the ball 30 yards from goal before striking it into the top corner;{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/16/rangers-motherwell-scottish-premier-league |title=Four-goal Rangers make Motherwell pay for snatching early lead |last=Murray |first=Ewan |date=16 October 2010 |work=The Guardian |access-date=5 December 2013}} the goal drew comparisons to former Rangers favourite Ian Durrant. Davis followed this up by scoring the winner in the match against Inverness at Ibrox in January 2011.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9364318.stm |title=Rangers 1–0 Inverness CT |date=18 January 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} In the 2011 Scottish League Cup Final against Celtic, Davis opened the scoring in a match which Rangers won 2–1 after extra time.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8394485/Celtic-1-Rangers-2-match-report.html |title=Celtic 1 Rangers 2: match report |last=Forsyth |first=Roddy |date=20 March 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=12 May 2011}} This was the third time he had won the Scottish League Cup. Davis scored in back-to-back games in the 2011 title run-in against Motherwell{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9470831.stm |title=Motherwell 0–5 Rangers |date=30 April 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 May 2011}} and Hearts,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9476492.stm |title=Rangers 4–0 Hearts |date=7 May 2011 |publisher=BBC |access-date=15 May 2011}} before playing his 54th and final game of the season in a 5–1 win over Kilmarnock, as Rangers won their 3rd consecutive SPL championship.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm |title=Kilmarnock 1–5 Rangers |date=15 May 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 May 2011}}

On 19 July 2011, Davis signed a new five-year contract with Rangers.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14208625.stm |title=Steven Davis signs new five-year deal at Rangers |date=19 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 July 2011}} He was made temporary captain, with the absence of formal club captain David Weir for the first part of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.football365.com/rangers/7108265/Weir-important-to-Gers-Davis |title=Weir important to Rangers – Davis |date=17 August 2011 |publisher=Football 365 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215124117/http://www.football365.com/rangers/7108265/Weir-important-to-Gers-Davis |archive-date=15 December 2013}} Davis scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 2–0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox in August.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14606044.stm |title=Rangers 2–0 Aberdeen |date=28 August 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=25 September 2011}} In the first Old Firm match of the 2011–12 season, he provided two assists as Rangers beat Celtic 4–2.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14965579.stm |title=Ally McCoist praises Rangers players for second-half display |date=18 September 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=25 September 2011}} After Rangers beat Dunfermline 4–0 at East End Park, Rangers manager Ally McCoist praised Davis's performance by saying "It was a captain's performance from the best player on the park."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15048580.stm |title=Manager McCoist delighted with Rangers reaction |date=24 September 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=25 September 2011}} For his performances during September 2011, he received the SPL Player of the Month award.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15307172.stm |title=McCoist and Davis net SPL awards double for Rangers |date=14 October 2011 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=14 October 2011}} Following the insolvency of Rangers in 2012, Davis exercised his rights under TUPE regulations to rescind his contract and become a free agent.{{cite news |url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/108094-steven-davis-becomes-seventh-rangers-player-to-refuse-newco-switch/ |title=Davis and McGregor become latest Rangers players to refuse newco switch |publisher=STV Sport |date=26 June 2012 |access-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202133444/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/108094-steven-davis-becomes-seventh-rangers-player-to-refuse-newco-switch/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead }} PFA Scotland had previously commented that players were entitled to become free agents if they objected to the transfer to the new company formed by Charles Green.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18446597 |title=Rangers: Players free not to join 'newco' says law expert |work=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=24 June 2012}}

=Southampton=

File:Steven Davis 2016.jpg in 2016]]

Davis rejected the chance to stay with Rangers and instead signed a three-year contract with Premier League club Southampton on 6 July 2012.{{cite web |title=Saints Sign Steven Davis |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/saints-sign-steven-davis-221927.aspx?pageView=full#anchored |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=6 July 2012 |date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215124928/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/saints-sign-steven-davis-221927.aspx?pageView=full#anchored |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Rangers captain Steven Davis signs for Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18748689 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=7 July 2012 |date=6 July 2012}} The deal was subsequently extended to 2016 as part of the agreement with Rangers to complete the transfer without the need for the international transfer clearance to be agreed by FIFA, with the two clubs agreeing a fee.{{cite web |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2855765,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723224957/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2855765,00.html |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Rangers Clear Saints' Davis Deal |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=21 July 2012 |access-date=5 December 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18937843 |title=Southampton agree fee with Rangers for Steven Davis |publisher =BBC Sport|date=21 July 2012 |access-date=26 March 2021}} After joining Southampton, Davis pleaded the Rangers fans to agree with his decision to leave but accepted that a minority of fans would take a different view{{cite news |title=Rangers in crisis: Steven Davis fears fans won't forgive him after Southampton switch |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/rangers-in-crisis-steven-davis-fears-1166308 |work=Daily Record |location=Scotland |date=8 July 2012 |access-date=26 August 2012}} and made his explanation he left Rangers in order to revive his football career.{{cite news |title=I had to end my Ibrox hell, says Southampton new boy Steven Davis |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-davis-why-i-had-to-leave-rangers-1187548 |work=Daily Record |location=Scotland |date=29 July 2012 |access-date=26 August 2012}}

He made his debut on 19 August 2012, and scored to put the team ahead at holders Manchester City only three minutes after coming on as a substitute, but Southampton eventually lost 3–2.{{cite news |title=Man City 3 – 2 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19231354 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2012 |access-date=25 August 2012}} His only other goal of the season came against the same opposition, in a 3–1 home win on 13 February 2013.{{cite news |last1=Bevan |first1=Chris |title=Southampton 3–1 Man City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311313 |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2013}}

His first two goals of the 2013–14 season came in a 5–1 victory at Barnsley in the League Cup second round on 27 August, the latter being a penalty.{{cite news |title=Barnsley 1–5 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23763998 |access-date=9 October 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2013}}

On 17 October 2014, Davis signed a new contract to keep him at Southampton until 2018.{{cite news |title=Southampton: Steven Davis extends contract until 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29663796 |access-date=17 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2014}}

On 8 May 2016, Davis scored his first ever league brace for Southampton in a 2–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.{{cite news |title=Tottenham Hotspur 1–2 Southampton |date=8 May 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36180830 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 May 2016}} He followed this up with a goal in a 4–1 victory over Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.{{cite news |last1=Oscroft |first1=Tim |title=Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240425 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 June 2016 |date=15 May 2016}}

On 18 June 2016, he signed a new three-year contract, extending his stay with the club until 2019.{{cite web |title=Davis signs new Saints deal until 2019 |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160618-announcement-steven-davis-contract-southampton-2019-3145943.aspx |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=18 June 2016 |date=18 June 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810004956/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160618-announcement-steven-davis-contract-southampton-2019-3145943.aspx |url-status=dead }}

He made his 200th Southampton appearance on 16 September 2017 against Crystal Palace, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory.{{cite news |last1=Reddy |first1=Luke |title=Crystal Palace 0–1 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41210053 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=17 September 2017 |date=16 September 2017}}

=Return to Rangers =

On 6 January 2019, Davis returned to Rangers on a six-month loan.{{cite web |title=Rangers Sign Steven Davis|url=https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/rangers-sign-steven-davis/ |publisher=Rangers F.C. |access-date=6 January 2019 |date=6 January 2019}} On 2 May, Davis agreed to join Rangers permanently once the loan deal had finished, signing a 12-month contract.{{cite web |title=Steven Davis: Rangers agree one-year contract with on-loan Southampton midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48140838 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 May 2019 |date=2 May 2019}} Davis helped Rangers win the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership, their first Scottish league championship since 2011, and he won the SFWA Footballer of the Year award.{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/football/rangers-quartet-nominated-for-player-of-the-year-award?top |title=Rangers quartet nominated for player of the year award |website=STV Sport |publisher=STV |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=6 May 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/news/2021/5/16/davis-crowned-player-of-the-year |title=Davis crowned Player of the Year |publisher=SFWA |date=16 May 2021 |access-date=16 May 2021}}

Davis tore his anterior cruciate ligament in December 2022, an injury which required surgery and a long rehabilitation process.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64586251 |title=Steven Davis: Rangers and Northern Ireland midfielder 'positive but realistic' after knee surgery |website=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2023 |accessdate=10 February 2023}}

On 25 January 2024, Davis (aged 39) announced his retirement from football as a result of the injury.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59242010 |title=Steven Davis: Northern Ireland and Rangers midfielder announces retirement |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2024-01-25 |accessdate=2024-01-25}}{{cite news |title=Steven Davis MBE announces retirement from professional football |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/steven-davis-mbe-announces-retirement-from-professional-football/ULwD36YtsZ4pK3U53X898#:~:text=STEVEN%20DAVIS%20MBE%2C%20Rangers'%20Hall,League%20Cup%20on%20three%20occasions. |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=Rangers F.C. |date=25 January 2025}}

International career

Davis made his full international debut on 9 February 2005 in a 1–0 loss to Canada, and made the assist for David Healy in Northern Ireland's famous 1–0 victory over England in a 2006 World Cup qualification match on 7 September.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4212920.stm |title=Northern Ireland 1–0 England |date=7 September 2005 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} Davis' first goal came against Wales in a 3–2 home defeat in another qualifier on 8 October.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4322378.stm |title=N Ireland 2–3 Wales |date=8 October 2005 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}} He was also part of the team who beat Spain 3–2 at Windsor Park in September 2006.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5321964.stm |title=Northern Ireland 3–2 Spain |date=6 September 2006 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}}

On 21 May 2006, he became Northern Ireland's youngest modern day captain against Uruguay in the United States, a 1–0 loss.{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2007/july/05/fulham-sign-davis |title=Fulham Sign Davis |date=5 July 2007 |publisher=Fulham F.C. |access-date=5 December 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/photo_galleries/5005912.stm |title=NI v Uruguay photos |date=22 May 2006 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 May 2011}}

On 8 October 2015, Davis scored twice in a 3–1 victory over Greece to help Northern Ireland qualify for the final tournament of Euro 2016, their first European Championship.{{cite news |title=Northern Ireland 3 Greece 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33543829 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 October 2015 |date=8 October 2015}}

In November 2019, he won his 116th cap against the Netherlands and became the most capped British midfielder, passing David Beckham. On 7 September 2020, he equalled Pat Jennings's Northern Ireland record of 119 caps.{{cite web |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-davis-honoured-equal-pat-18889490 |title=Steven Davis honoured to equal Pat Jennings' all-time caps record.. but his place in the pantheon of Northern Ireland greats was secure a long time ago |website=Belfast Live |date=7 September 2020 }} On 8 October 2020, he played his 120th match for Northern Ireland against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs to become the most-capped player in their history.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54464207 |title=Steven Davis: Jennings congratulates NI skipper Davis on breaking caps record |website=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2020 }} As of February 2023 he had 140 caps, making him the most capped British or Irish men's player of all time.{{cite web |last1=Sterling |first1=Mark |title=Steven Davis: Unassuming and unsurpassed - retired captain just kept making NI fans happy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59122744 |publisher=BBC Sport NI |access-date=26 January 2024 |date=25 January 2024}}

Coaching career

Following the sacking of Michael Beale on 1 October 2023, Davis was announced as the manager of Rangers on an interim basis.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66818135 |title=Rangers: Michael Beale sacked as manager after third Scottish Premiership loss |website=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2023 |accessdate=1 October 2023}} He reported that this "came out of the blue" and that it "was too good an opportunity to turn down".{{Cite news |title=Rangers interim job 'too good to turn down' - Davis |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67013060 |access-date=2023-10-08}} He took charge of two games, a Europa League defeat by Aris Limassol and a league win against St Mirren, before Philippe Clement was appointed manager on 15 October.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67080993 |title=Philippe Clement: Rangers appoint former Monaco head coach as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2023 |accessdate=15 October 2023}}

Personal life

Davis was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to football.{{London Gazette |issue=61962 |supp=y |page=B17 |date=17 June 2017}}

Career statistics

=Club=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Football League Cup, Scottish League Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Aston Villa

|2004–05{{Soccerbase season|35928|2004|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|28

11000colspan="2"|—291
2005–06{{Soccerbase season|35928|2005|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|35

44232colspan="2"|—428
2006–07{{Soccerbase season|35928|2006|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|28

00030colspan="2"|—310
colspan="2"|Total

!91

55262001029
Fulham

|2007–08{{Soccerbase season|35928|2007|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|22

01020colspan="2"|—250
Rangers (loan)

|2007–08

|Scottish Premier League

|12

040109{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}1261
rowspan="5"|Rangers[https://fitbastats.com/rangers/player.php?playerid=1139 Rangers player Steven Davis details], FitbaStats. Retrieved 25 January 2024

|2008–09{{Soccerbase season|35928|2008|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Scottish Premier League

|34

6514000437
2009–10{{Soccerbase season|35928|2009|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Scottish Premier League

|36

350316{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}0504
2010–11{{Soccerbase season|35928|2010|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Scottish Premier League

|37

4303110{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}}0535
2011–12{{Soccerbase season|35928|2011|name=Steven Davis|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Scottish Premier League

|33

510104{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}}{{efn|name=Maribor|Soccerbase does not list a home UEFA Champions League match appearance v Maribor}}0395
colspan="2"|Total

!152

1818112229121122
rowspan="8"|Southampton

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|35928|2012|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|32

21000colspan="2"|—332
2013–14{{Soccerbase season|35928|2013|access-date=21 September 2014}}

|Premier League

|34

23032colspan="2"|—404
2014–15{{Soccerbase season|35928|2014|access-date=25 May 2015}}

|Premier League

|35

03030colspan="2"|—410
2015–16{{Soccerbase season|35928|2015|access-date=16 January 2016}}

|Premier League

|34

510303{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}0415
2016–17{{soccerbase season|35928|2016|access-date = 22 August 2016}}

|Premier League

|32

000404{{efn|name=UEL}}0400
2017–18{{soccerbase season|35928|2017|access-date=14 May 2018}}

|Premier League

|23

32000colspan=2|—253
2018–19{{soccerbase season|35928|2018|access-date=24 September 2018}}

|Premier League

|3

00030colspan=2|—60
colspan="2"|Total

!193

121001627022614
Rangers (loan)

|2018–19

|Scottish Premiership

|14

040colspan=2|—colspan=2|—180
rowspan="5"|Rangers

|2019–20{{soccerbase season|35928|2019|access-date= 1 January 2021}}

|Scottish Premiership

|24

0302014{{efn|name=UEL}}1431
2020–21{{soccerbase season|35928|2020|access-date=7 March 2021}}

|Scottish Premiership

|35

0311110{{efn|name=UEL}}0492
2021–22{{soccerbase season|35928|2021|access-date=9 August 2021}}

|Scottish Premiership

|18

0301011{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances in UEFA Europa League}}1331
2022–23{{soccerbase season|35928|2022|access-date=9 August 2022}}

|Scottish Premiership

|8

100216{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}0162
colspan="2"|Total

!99

1131624121596
colspan="3"|Career total

!557||36||47||4||42||8||77||3||723||51

{{notelist}}

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{NFT|9495|name=Davis, Steven|accessdate=1 April 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Steven Davis - Century of International Appearances|publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/nil-davis-intl.html}}

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="18"|Northern Ireland

|2005

101
200670
200790
200861
200970
201050
201172
201260
201381
201460
201583
2016131
201791
201861
2019101
202070
202180
202281
colspan="2"|Total14013

Northern Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Davis goal.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col" data-sort-type="date"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Cap

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

|8 October 2005

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|8{{fb|WAL}}align="center"|2–2align="center"|2–32006 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|2

|15 October 2008

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|32{{fb|SMR}}align="center"|4–0align="center"|4–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|3

|10 August 2011

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|47{{fb|FRO}}align="center"|2–0align="center"|4–0UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
align="center"|4

| 7 October 2011

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|50{{fb|EST}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|1–2UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
align="center"|5

|15 October 2013

Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan, Israelalign=center|64{{fb|ISR}}align="center"|1–1align="center"|1–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|6

|rowspan=2 | 8 October 2015

rowspan=2 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandrowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |77rowspan=2 | {{fb|GRE}}align="center"|1–0rowspan=2 align="center"|3–1rowspan=2 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
align="center"|7

|align="center"|3–0

align="center"|8

|13 November 2015

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|79{{fb|LVA}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|1–0Friendly
align="center"|9

| 8 October 2016

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|89{{fb|SMR}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|4–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|10

|1 September 2017

San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marinoalign="center"|96{{fb|SMR}}align="center"|3–0align="center"|3–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"|11

|11 September 2018

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|103{{fb|ISR}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|3–0Friendly
align="center"|12

|21 March 2019

Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Irelandalign="center"|108{{fb|EST}}align="center"|2–0align="center"|2–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
align="center"|13

|25 March 2022

Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourgalign="center"|133{{fb|LUX}}align="center"|2–0align="center"|3–0Friendly

=Managerial statistics=

{{updated|match played 8 October 2023}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2" |Team

! rowspan="2" |Nat

! rowspan="2" |From

! rowspan="2"|To

! colspan="5" |Record

{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

align="center"|Rangers (interim)

|align="center"|{{flagicon|SCO}}

|align="center"|1 October 2023

|align="center"|15 October 2023

{{WDL|2|1|0|1}}

colspan=4 | Career Total

{{WDLtot|2|1|0|1|decimals=1}}

Honours

Aston Villa U18

Rangers

  • Scottish Premier League / Scottish Premiership: 2008–09,{{ cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8062744.stm| publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport| first=Andy |last=Campbell| date=24 May 2009 | title=Dundee United 0–3 Rangers}} 2009–10,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8638892.stm |title=Hibernian 0–1 Rangers |date=25 April 2010 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |first=Andy |last=Campbell}} 2010–11,{{cite web |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/the-perfect-ending-for-fivestar-smith-16000487.html |title=The perfect ending for five-star Smith |date=16 May 2011 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |access-date=9 December 2017}} 2020–21{{cite news |title=Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021}}
  • Scottish Cup: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2021–22{{cite news |title=Rangers 2-0 Hearts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048|work=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2022|access-date=21 May 2022}}
  • Scottish League Cup: 2007–08, 2009–10,{{cite news |title=St Mirren 0–1 Rangers |publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8576203.stm |first=Andy |last=Campbell}} 2010–11
  • UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2007–08, 2021–22{{cite news |title=Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61446268|work=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2022|access-date=18 May 2022}}

Southampton

  • EFL Cup runner-up: 2016–17{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39018813 |title=Manchester United 3–2 Southampton |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=26 April 2019}}

Individual

  • PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year: 2009–10{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8657569.stm |title=Davis crowned player of the year |work=BBC Sport |access-date=3 May 2010 |date=2 May 2010}}
  • PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2008–09 SPL, 2009–10 SPL,{{cite news|date=4 May 2010|title=PFA snub can motivate Bhoys: Lennon|work=Belfast Telegraph|publisher=INM|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/pfa-snub-can-motivate-bhoys-lennon-28533455.html|access-date=3 May 2013}} 2011–12 SPL, 2020–21 Scottish Premiership{{Cite web|last=Pirie|first=Mark|date=17 May 2021|title=Rangers dominate the PFA Premiership Team of the Year but Celtic trio make the grade|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-dominate-pfa-premiership-team-24125898|access-date=18 May 2021|website=Daily Record}}
  • SFWA Footballer of the Year: 2020–21
  • Scottish Premier League Player of the Month: January 2010,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8505927.stm |title=Rangers' Steven Davis wins January SPL award |date=9 February 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 February 2010}} September 2011
  • Irish Football Association International Player of the Year: 2015, 2016{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-03-27/steven-davis-northern-ireland-player-of-the-year-award |title=Davis named Northern Ireland Player of the Year |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=27 March 2017 |access-date=28 March 2017}}
  • NIFWA International Personality of the Year: 2006, 2010, 2014{{cite web |url=http://nifootball.blogspot.co.uk/2006/11/northern-irelands-award-winners.html |title=Northern Ireland's Award Winners |publisher=NIFG |access-date=28 March 2017}}
  • Aston Villa Supporters' Player of the Year: 2005–06{{cite web |url=http://www.thesaintshub.com/stevendavis.html |title=Steven Davis profile |publisher=The Saints Hub |access-date=27 March 2017}}
  • Aston Villa Players' Player of the Year: 2005–06
  • Aston Villa Young Player of the Year: 2005–06
  • Rangers Hall of Fame: 2023{{Cite web |title=McGregor, Davis & Tavernier Inducted Into Hall of Fame |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/mcgregor-davis-and-tavernier-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/58RgQ2sNjZAKMivAHKcZ69 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.rangers.co.uk |date=2023-02-19}}
  • Premier League Milestone Award (300 appearances){{Cite web | title = Davis: 300 appearances seemed so far away! | url = https://www.premierleague.com/news/630158?sf183216094=1 | access-date = 20 February 2023 | website = premierleague.com |date = 20 February 2018 }}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://www.thesaintshub.com/stevendavis.html Steven Davis Career Profile]
  • {{Soccerbase}}
  • [https://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2014/steven-davis/ Steven Davis profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319222124/http://irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2014/steven-davis/ |date=19 March 2016 }} at the Irish Football Association website

{{Northern Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| fg = navy

| bg = gold

| list1 =

{{2008–09 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year}}

{{2009–10 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year}}

{{2011–12 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year}}

{{2020–21 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}

{{Aston Villa F.C. Player of the Season}}

{{Rangers F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame}}

{{PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year}}

{{SFWA Footballer of the Year}}

}}

{{Rangers F.C. managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Steven}}

Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from Ballymena

Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland

Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Aston Villa F.C. players

Category:Fulham F.C. players

Category:Rangers F.C. players

Category:Southampton F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:People educated at Ballymena Academy

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:Rangers F.C. managers

Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland

Category:Northern Ireland men's under-23 international footballers