Steven Davis: Captain of Northern Ireland to talk to the family and Manager about the international future

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has said he has not yet made a decision on his international future.

Before he won his 132nd game, Davis said it’s hard to imagine him not playing for his country.

“The honest answer is that I haven’t made any decision,” he said.

“I think it is important that I focus entirely on the game above all in order to try to get a good result and build a result against Lithuania.

– After that, I think it is important that I sit with my family and have good conversations with them, including the manager, and see what is best to move forward.

“Whenever that day comes, it’s going to be a very difficult decision because ultimately I’ve had so many enjoyable moments in a Northern Ireland shirt and I’m always very proud to be able to do it. It would be very hard not to imagine doing it. Move forward.”

After making his debut in Northern Ireland against Canada in February 2005, Davis now holds the British record for most international international matches.

Although he said he had not thought about the idea of ​​an official farewell for Northern Ireland supporters, he admitted he had tried to enjoy the atmosphere of Windsor Park more in recent seasons.

“To be honest at this point in my career, I’ve been trying to do it [soak up that atmosphere] in the last couple of seasons anyway, whether at the club or international level, ”he explained.

“You know you can’t go on forever, and you don’t know when your time is up. You just want to enjoy those moments as much as possible, especially when you have good results and good performance.”

Davis Rangers club manager Steven Gerrard has left to take over the management of Aston Villa during this international camp, and Davis said he was disappointed to hear the news.

“I have been in personal contact with him. Of course I was disappointed, I really enjoyed working under the manager and his staff,” he added.

“It was a really enjoyable period in my career, but unfortunately that’s what happens in football. Nothing changes in our goals for the season, it’s important that we stay focused. And of course I wish him and his staff all the best.

Key players Stuart Dallas and Paddy McNair did not practice with the Northern Ireland team on Sunday in the event of injury, and manager Ian Baraclough said he wants to give them as long as possible to be in good enough shape to play.

The Baraclough team will start the Italian match, advancing to the Bulgarian goal difference in third place in Group C on Friday night, winning 1-0 in Lithuania.

Roberto Mancini’s European champions will travel to Belfast at the top of the block, but they need a win to secure the World Cup qualifiers after they played second-place Switzerland on Friday.