Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says Rangers are in a privileged position to have the option to sign Steven Davis on a new deal at Ibrox.
Davis, now 37 and in the autumn of his career, is out of contract this summer and a question mark hangs over his future with the Old Firm giants.
Motherwell and St Mirren have been linked with moves for the veteran midfielder although a short extension at Rangers remains a possibility.
Read more: Manchester City teenager Shea Charles is at home with Northern Ireland, insists Ian Baraclough
Baraclough is delighted to have Davis in his plans for next week’s Nations League kick-off and believes his skipper still has a lot to offer "for club and country".
“I haven’t had conversations with Steven on his contract talks or whether he’s talking to other clubs,” he said.
“But if he is fit and firing - and I think he’s in great shape - I see no reason why he can’t go and sign a new deal for Rangers and have a massive impact next season.
“There’ll be many managers, whether in the Championship in England or top leagues around Europe, who will be envious that Rangers have the chance to re-sign Steven.
“He is a top, top player and he shows his quality time and time again. For me, he still has a big part to play for both club and country.”
While Davis was starved of first team opportunities in the second half of the campaign, he offered a timely reminder of his qualities in the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.
The Cullybackey native shone as a substitute and scored from the spot in an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League showpiece.
And he also impressed as a starter in last Saturday’s Scottish Cup final win over Hearts as the Light Blues celebrated their first blue riband success in 13 years.
“Davo is still playing at a very high level and he showed it in those two finals,” said Baraclough.
“In the Europa League final he came on and steadied the ship. He also had a couple of chances and was unlucky with both efforts.
“He then started in the Scottish Cup final and was really the lynchpin for Rangers winning that trophy.
“I know he is looking forward to being part of the group and getting four games under his belt in some fashion.”
Northern Ireland are set to play four Nations League fixtures in 11 days, starting at home to Greece on Thursday (June 2).
Two away trips to Cyprus and Kosovo on June 5 and 9 are followed by another home game against Cyprus on June 12.
The Group C2 campaign concludes in September with a double header against Kosovo (H) and Greece (A).
Read more: Glenavon teen goalkeeper tipped to become NI star by Lurgan Blues teammate
Read more: NI manager Ian Baraclough has 'cross-channel' hope for Glentoran winger Conor McMenamin
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
