Northern Ireland v Norway

Words Darren Fullerton Daily Mirror

ON THE CUSP OF MAKING HISTORY

Steven Davis entered pinch me territory with Northern Ireland a long time ago. Growing up in the sleepy village of Cullybackey outside Ballymena, the Rangers midfielder couldn’t have predicted the trajectory of his football journey.

“It wasn’t a great result against Canada but it was really special to make my debut, even though the result didn’t go our way,” he said. “From that moment on, I loved going away with the team and playing for Northern Ireland.” Fast forward 15 years and Davis is set to equal legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings’ 119 caps record in tonight’s Uefa Nations League clash with Norway in Belfast.

In fact Davis, who stands on the brink of setting a new caps record for his country, emits a wry chuckle at the remarkable route map of his international career. “It’s a bit surreal to be honest - it’s hard to put into words,” he said. In case we forget the 35-year-old made his debut in a humbling 1-0 friendly defeat to 10-man Canada at Windsor Park in 2005. Lawrie Sanchez was manager and Davis’ teammates that night included Tony Capaldi, Tommy Doherty and Jeff Whitley.

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