Hunger for trophies likely to see Steven Davis extend stay with Rangers

HOME turf was as appropriate a place as any for Steven Davis to reflect that the grass is not always greener elsewhere. After helping Rangers secure their first pre-season victory on Saturday, at a ground where he has savoured many special occasions in the green shirt of Northern Ireland, Davis confirmed his intention to sign a new contract with the Scottish champions.

The 26-year-old former Aston Villa and Fulham midfielder has never hidden the fact he feels he has unfinished business in the English Premier League, an arena he still hopes to ply his trade in again before the end of his career.

That unscratched itch had led to speculation Davis would allow his current Rangers contract, which expires next year, to run down before heading south. But Davis has come to the realisation that the enjoyment and fulfilment he gets from playing for the club he supported as a boy may not be fully compensated for by a return to English football. Instead, he expects to finalise terms on a contract extension at Ibrox imminently.

"Talks are still on-going but we're not a million miles away right now," said Davis. "It's just the final details that need sorted. Maybe something in the next week or two will happen. I'm confident something will get done, so I'm not worrying about it.

"The last year of my contract has come round quicker than I thought. I've really enjoyed my time here. As long as we keep continuing to have success that will be the case.

"I would never rule England out, it's a great league to be involved in so maybe some day I'll get back down the road. But I enjoy my football at this club, that's my motivation.

"I come in to my work happy every day and my family are settled here, which is a massive thing for me. There's a lot to be said for that. There's pressure every year not to rest on your laurels and go win the league year after year. That expectation will always be there.

"It probably helps me that I'm a fan of Rangers. The club means a lot to me. I would rather be here winning things. Being involved in big European nights and great runs. There's a lot to be said for that."

Davis added: "You could sign for any number of teams in England and be involved in a relegation battle, but at Rangers you get the chance to win things and fulfil ambitions. I know what it's like down south. I know the grass isn't always greener. Look at some of the players who have left Rangers, they've found that out."

Davis will again be a crucial figure for Rangers as they pursue a fourth consecutive SPL title. While they were convincing winners in the end against Linfield at Windsor Park, the final scoreline was harsh on the Irish League champions and masked a display from Ally McCoist's side which was often ragged and one-paced.

The manager appeared simply relieved to chalk up a victory and four goals following a three-match tour of Germany which brought three defeats and no goals. Confirmation that David Weir has signed a new one-year contract and optimism that Carlos Cuellar will return to the club after Rangers had a 2 million bid for the defender accepted by Aston Villa also buoyed McCoist.

"The manager is working as hard as he can to get the right people in," observed Davis, "and we are all confident we'll have a few fresh faces by the start of the season. We know the spine of the team is there, we just need to add some depth.

"You can't read too much into pre-season results but at the same time it was good to get that winning mentality back and a few goals against Linfield. We were a bit sloppy in the first half but in the second half we created chances and scored good goals. There was a lot of positives to take from it.

"But it's quite difficult to see where we are just now with the SPL starting next weekend. It's the shortest pre-season I've ever been involved in. Normally you've got a good two weeks worth of running before you start games but this time it's only been a week then straight in. It's only now we're starting to get that sharpness back. I think it'll take a couple of weeks before we get up to full speed."

Summer signing Juan Manuel Ortiz, substituted at half-time because of a groin strain, put Rangers in front after 21 minutes, but Michael Carvill levelled nine minutes later for Linfield who created the better chances in the first hour of the contest.

Rangers picked up the tempo in the closing stages, however, as goals from Steven Naismith, Nikica Jelavic and eye-catching young substitute Kane Hemmings secured victory in Linfield's 125th anniversary fixture.

Tomorrow night's friendly at Blackpool will conclude Rangers' preparations for the defence of their domestic crown, which starts at home to Hearts on Saturday, before they face the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Malmo the following midweek.

Linfield: Blayney (Addis 81), Ervin (Murphy 79), Watson (Douglas 53), Armstrong (Lindsay 53), Hanley (McCaul 53); Lowry (Kane 62), Casement, Garrett (B.Burns 53), Fordyce; Carvill (A.Burns 53), Thompson (McAllister 53).

Rangers: McGregor (Alexander 46), Broadfoot, Whittaker, Weir, Papac; Naismith, Davis, McCulloch, Ortiz (Wylde 46); Healy (Hemmings 70), Jelavic. Subs not used: McCabe, Fleck, Hutton, Kerkar, Bendiksen.