Northern Ireland boss defends Steven Davis’ decision to exit Rangers

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has described claims that Steven Davis walked out on Rangers when the going got tough as unfair.

The former Ibrox star will be back in Glasgow on Wednesday night for the friendly at Hampden Park.

That has sparked memories of his departure in 2012 when, in the wake of the Light Blues’ insolvency, he exercised his right to leave as a free agent under TUPE and sign for his current employers, Southampton.

While he was only one of a clutch to do so Allan McGregor, Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker are just three other examples his importance to the side, plus the fact he had been a boyhood fan, meant it was particularly unpopular.

But O’Neill argued: “I think Steven had to go when he did. He had made a five-year commitment to the club, and they were the ones who struggled to fulfil it not him.

“I think it was unrealistic to expect a player of Steven’s calibre to go and play in the Scottish Third Division.

“This is a guy, I believe, who can get 100 caps. When his career is done and when we look back at great Northern Ireland midfielders people like Sammy McIlroy and Martin O’Neill Steve will be up there with the best of them.

“He is not the most vocal leader you would see on the pitch, but he takes so much responsibility and has real ability.

“He definitely benefited from leaving Scotland when he did. And the English Premier League gave him exactly the kind of challenge he needed at that stage of his career.

“He had to fight hard to get into Southampton’s team, and to establish himself there, but he did that. He is fitter now than he has ever been, and has just signed a new, long-term contract.

“That is no surprise because anyone who knows him knows what kind of player he is, and knows what type of lad he is. I really think any criticism he has had has been extremely unfair.”

O’Neill fancies Scotland’s chances of getting a positive result against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in June.

“They maybe have a few more players in the English Premier League but I think Scotland may be a stronger team,” he said.

“I just get the impression they are in a slightly better shape than the Republic. They’ve been good away from home, and were unfortunate not to take more from their games in Germany and Poland.”