Northern Ireland icon Chris Brunt has hailed Rangers midfielder Steven Davis as the greatest player his country has ever had.
The 37-year-old turned Friday’s friendly against Luxembourg with a goalscoring cameo off the bench and is in line to win his 134th cap in an astonishing international career against Hungary in Belfast tomorrow night.
Davis is already the most capped British player of all time.
But it’s not just that incredible tally that makes former team mate Brunt hold him out in front of the rest of Northern Ireland ’s footballing legends - including the late, great George Best.
Brunt said: "Without a doubt, I think he is probably the greatest we've had.
"I know that's a big call considering some of the players we've had in the past in our history. I think his record speaks for himself.
"The number of caps he has, the way he conducts himself around the place, the way he conducts himself at his club, the way he looks after himself professionally. He keeps grinding it out doesn't he?
"The last few games I've watched of the national team, especially the Italy game, it was like he was 25 again the way he covered ground and the way he helped the other lads out.”
Former West Bromwich Albion defender Brunt won 65 caps himself in an impressive career for club and country.
He may be only two weeks older than Rangers ace Davis but Brunt has hung up the boots and is now a fully fledged member of the Green and White Army.
And he reckons Davis plays a key role on and off the park for Ian Baraclough’s side.
He told Sky Sports: "The young lads that are coming through as well, having someone like that in the squad to help them along is brilliant.
“He's a credit to himself and our country."
