Regardless of the result yesterday (lost 1-5 to Norway at home), the Northern Irish have reason to celebrate, as their long serving midfielder, 35 year old Steven Davis, reached a record total of international caps yesterday. Born on January 1st 1985, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, he played for his "age group" country teams from the age of 15 and reached the remarkable total of 116 senior caps with 12 goals when he walked out for his country v Netherlands in November 2019, becoming Britain's most capped midfielder, beating David Beckham. On 7th september 2020, he matched Pat Jennings' Northern Ireland record of 119 caps, 6 away from beating Peter Shilton.
The Rangers' number 10 started his professional career with Aston Villa in 2004 and was voted Young Player of the Year, Fans POTY, POTY and so on, during his time at the Villa. He then went to Fulham in 2007, went on loan to Rangers, became a permanent fixture and won the 2008 UEFA Cup and various titles in Scotland. In 2012 he played for Southampton in the Premier League and has recently returned to Glasgow Rangers. He has made 629 apps in the football leagues and scored 46 goals.
On 21st May 2006, he became the youngest modern day Northern Ireland captain when he led his team out v Uruguay in USA, sadly for another 0-1 defeat.
His international debut was in February 2005, in a defeat by Canada, but he had an assist when Northern Ireland beat England 1-0 on the 7th September 2006. David Healey scored the goal. He was made MBE in 2017.
Other notable international caps are with: Robbie Keane 146, Shay Given 134, Peter Shilton 125, Wayne Rooney 120, O'Shea 118, Beckham 115, Gerrard 114, Aaron Hughes 112, Kilbane 110, Bobby Moore 108, Bobby Charlton and Frank Lampard 106, Ashley Cole 107. Billy Wright became the first Britiah player to reach 100+ (105) caps on May 28th 1959. Other 100+ = Dalglish 102, Staunton 102, Damien Duff 100.
Ahmed Hassan for Egypt leads the international lot, with 184 caps over 16 years between 1995-2012.
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