NI boss Ian Baraclough delivers 'envious' message to Rangers as Steven Davis weighs up future

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says Rangers are in a privileged position to have the option to sign Steven Davis on a new deal at Ibrox.

Davis, now 37 and in the autumn of his career, is out of contract this summer and a question mark hangs over his future with the Old Firm giants.

Motherwell and St Mirren have been linked with moves for the veteran midfielder although a short extension at Rangers remains a possibility.

Manchester City teenager Shea Charles is at home with Northern Ireland, insists Ian Baraclough

Baraclough is delighted to have Davis in his plans for next week’s Nations League kick-off and believes his skipper still has a lot to offer "for club and country".

“I haven’t had conversations with Steven on his contract talks or whether he’s talking to other clubs,” he said.

“But if he is fit and firing - and I think he’s in great shape - I see no reason why he can’t go and sign a new deal for Rangers and have a massive impact next season.

“There’ll be many managers, whether in the Championship in England or top leagues around Europe, who will be envious that Rangers have the chance to re-sign Steven.

“He is a top, top player and he shows his quality time and time again. For me, he still has a big part to play for both club and country.”

While Davis was starved of first team opportunities in the second half of the campaign, he offered a timely reminder of his qualities in the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.

The Cullybackey native shone as a substitute and scored from the spot in an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League showpiece.

And he also impressed as a starter in last Saturday’s Scottish Cup final win over Hearts as the Light Blues celebrated their