Steven Davis is confident that Northern Ireland will go from strength to strength and qualify for more major tournaments after Michael O’Neill’s decision to stay on as manager.
After being chased by Scotland since October, when Gordon Strachan was sacked, O’Neill announced this week that he had turned down the opportunity to become the leader of the Tartan Army and is set to sign a new four-year contract extension with the Irish Football Association in the coming days.
The Northern Ireland captain always had faith that O’Neill would not swap Windsor Park for Hampden Park, though admitted to a ‘little fear’ the longer the process went on.
The Southampton midfielder was as inspirational on the pitch as O’Neill was off it when Northern Ireland qualified for the Euro 2016 finals and believes that his vision for Euro 2020 can become a reality with the 48-year-old still at the helm. He adds that the joy of O’Neill committing to Northern Irelandover Scotland, combined with a determination to make up for the pain of not reaching the World Cup finals in Russia, can drive the team to further glory.
“Michael staying is a huge boost for the whole country and the team,” said ex-Rangers and Fulham midfielder Davis. “I had faith that Michael wouldn’t go but the longer it went on there was a little bit of fear. Michael is a methodical thinker and I was pleased when he made his decision and we are all determined to kick on now.
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“The news can have a real positive effect for the team moving forward. It is very important for Northern Ireland’s future because Michael has been so influential in our success in recent years and there’s no reason why, with him in charge, we can’t go and qualify for another major tournament.
“Reaching Euro 2016 was an incredible experience for everyone involved and after going so close to qualifying for the World Cup our aim now has to be to make it to the Euro 2020 finals.”
The bitter memory of the World Cup disappointment in November when Northern Ireland lost to Switzerland in the playoff will never leave him. Davis was devastated that his long held dream of playing in the biggest football show of all was ripped away in such controversial circumstances.
Northern Ireland played their hearts out in a scoreless draw in Basel in the second leg of the tie. The damage, however, had been done in Belfast when the home side were defeated 1-0 courtesy of a penalty that never was. They were knocked out on aggregate by the same scoreline.
“It was hugely disappointing and very difficult to take. It took me a while to get over it because playing in the World Cup was a dream for us all,” said Davis. “The way that we lost and the circumstances surrounding the defining moment of the tie will always be difficult to take when you look back on it, but I don’t believe as a squad we should have any regrets because we put so much into that campaign and in the end it wasn’t to be for us.
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“What we have to do now is to use that disappointment and show our desire to make another tournament when we are trying to qualify for Euro 2020. To play in the finals of that competition again would be fantastic for the players, the management and of course the fans. I appreciate how big a disappointment not going to Russia is for them, but hopefully we can put that right next time around.”
Davis, now 33, has never had any thoughts about international retirement, unlike other veteran stars Gareth McAuley, 38, Aaron Hughes, 38, and Chris Brunt, 33. The captain hopes O’Neill’s decision to continue will lead to them doing the same.
“Players like Gareth, Brunty and Hughesy have been brilliant for Northern Ireland over the years and I feel they still have a lot to offer Northern Ireland.
“Hopefully with Michael staying with us, the lads will continue to play. We need their experience and their quality. I’ve not thought about retirement at all.
“The last four years have been the most enjoyable period in my international career and to be honest I want to keep going for as long as possible.”