Steven Davis will always have a place at Rangers.
Whether the former Ibrox midfielder is working in Philippe Clement’s backroom staff, or simply taking in the game as a fan, the red carpet will be rolled out for the Ulsterman anytime he wants to visit.
Cruelly having a magnificent career cut short by a cruciate ligament injury, a hurdle most 21-year-old’s never mind 39-year-old’s struggle to clear, it’s been a period of reflection for Davo.
British football’s record caps holder with Northern Ireland (140), a Rangers Hall of Famer, and one of the best British midfielders of his generation, we’d say he’s earned it.
But with Steven Davis very much still in the thoughts of everyone at Ibrox – and at Windsor Park – the midfielder has been speaking this week about his future.
Specifically, Davo has suggested that a brief stint in interim charge of Rangers has ‘whet his appetite’ to move into football management.
Davis: Rangers chance ‘whet my appetite’ for more
Speaking to the Herald and Chris Jack, Steven Davis has been reflecting on retirement since calling it quits at Rangers back in January.
Having taken charge of Rangers for two games following the sacking of Michael Beale, Davo held the fort before Philippe Clement came in and steadied the ship.
Davis would then give it one last push to get back to playing, before the midfielder eventually conceded that the time had come to hang up his boots.
But it was that brief two-game stint in charge of Rangers which has laid the foundation for the next step in Steven’s career, the Northern Ireland legend’s understanding of the game, leadership credentials, and calm demeanour seemingly making him perfect for management.
“The interim manager thing came out of the blue,” said Davis. “Those few weeks were a whirlwind, it seems like a different life.
“It was a great experience for me to get the opportunity to do that. After I made the decision to stop playing it felt like a weight off my shoulders because I was always pushing and when it wasn’t going in the right direction I got disappointed.
“It was probably the biggest learning experience of my life. As you get older you start to think what the next chapter might look like.
“Coaching and management is certainly something that interests me, but up until that point I hadn’t really done any coaching, I didn’t have my qualifications.
“Everybody was on the same page with me going in there at that time and what was being asked. They put a staff around me to help me and the boys.
“With the Limassol game, with the travelling we had, the training time we had on the pitch was very limited. After that we went straight into St Mirren, it was a whirlwind but a great experience for me. It certainly whets the appetite.”
Rangers legend has number of coaching options
As Steven Davis takes a breather, Rangers and Northern Ireland have kept the door very much open.
Philippe Clement claimed upon Davo’s retirement that there would always be a place for him at the club should he choose to take it.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has also claimed that the Ulstermen would be delighted to have their favourite Ballymena son on their staff too.
For the time being through, it’s clear Steven Davis is just enjoying putting his feet up and spending time with his family at the end of his playing career.
And what an illustrious career it was too.
There are few players in the modern era more deserving of the title of Rangers legend that former captain Davis.
Across two spells at the club, the ex-Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton midfielder made 362 appearances, scoring 70 goals and lifting four league titles, including the legendary 55 triumph.
The midfielder also won three Scottish Cups, three League Cups and reached two European Finals with his boyhood team (2008, 2022).
