Rangers hall of fame midfielder Steven Davis announces retirement

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has announced his retirement from football.

The 39-year-old has had two spells at the Ibrox club as well as playing for a string of English clubs including Fulham, Aston Villa and Southampton.

He is also the most capped British men’s international player in history after playing 130 games for Northern Ireland.

During his spells at Rangers he has won four Scottish league titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.

After initially joining on loan in 2008 before making the move permanent, he helped Walter Smith’s side to three league titles in a row between 2009 and 2011.

He returned in 2019 and helped Steven Gerrard’s men lift the title in the 2020/21 campaign.

His second spell was cut short by injury in December 2022 and he hasn’t played since, although he made a brief return to first-team action earlier this season as caretaker manager between Michael Beale being sacked and Philippe Clement being appointed.

Overall he made a total of 370 appearances for Rangers and has been inducted into the club’s hall of fame.

On announcing his retirement on Thursday he said: “It’s a strange sensation today, but ultimately it has been at the back of my mind given the nature of the injury and my age.

“I did some testing four weeks ago and I realised I was still a little bit away. It feels like the time is right and I’m comfortable with it.

“It’s been an incredible journey to get to two European finals and win the trophies that I have, share those moments with the fans, be within the dressing room with your family after the games.

“It’s such a special football club and it goes without saying that I’m going to miss it, but I’ve had an incredible time here.”