Injured Ibrox ace Steven Davis admits he needs to be realistic about his prospects of mounting a Rangers return.
The 38-year-old’s season is over after suffering a devastating double ACL tear during a freak training ground accident just before Christmas. The stricken Northern Ireland skipper - whose Rangers deal expires this summer - has been warned it could take anywhere from six months to a year before he’s able to resume action.
Davis is loath to call it quits but admits he faces a major call on whether to play on once he’s fully recovered. The veteran midfielder said: ”I've got to be realistic - it's a big injury and takes a lot of time to come back from. At my age, I know it's going to be difficult but I've always been a very fit person so that should give me the best possible chance.
"I haven't made any decisions about moving forward, I'll just concentrate on rehabbing to the best of my ability. I don't want this to be the defining moment that ends my career.” If Davis does play on, he intends on resuming his 140-cap career. He added: "Everybody knows how much it means to me to play for Northern Ireland. The prospect of pulling on the green shirt again - and the Rangers shirt - is a driving factor for me, although I know it is going to be a long, difficult road ahead.”
Gers boss Michael Beale has talked up Davis as an Ibrox boss “in waiting” and the former Southampton star admits he’s using his time out to weigh up his options for the future. Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, he said: “The last few weeks have been slow progress but I have to try and show patience. It’s a chance for me to learn and grow as a person.
"I haven't had the experience of a real long-term injury during my career so I'm thankful in the sense but frustrated because at my age, you don't know how long you have left in football as a player and you want to maximise that time.
"Mentally it's been more difficult than I expected, coming in every day and not seeing the progress on a daily basis.
"I'm still in the initial phase, getting the swelling down and the range back in the leg.
"It's difficult (watching matches), knowing you might not get an opportunity to do that again but I'm very driven to get myself back out there.
"It gives me time to grow away from that too, whether that be looking into my coaching or doing something outside of that, make the most of my time.
"I still need to do my coaching badges. That's one I want to tick off this year.”
