Steven Davis insists his overhead stunner against Celtic is evidence of his his game has evolved after scooping the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year award.
The Northern Ireland international beat Rangers teammates Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Allan McGregor to the gong after an outstanding season in midfield.
The 36-year-old has made the champions tick this season, showing he still has it ten years on from winning the SPFA award when he helped lead the Gers to their last Premiership title before this one.
The highlight was his acrobatic effort to open the scoring against the Hoops in last month’s Scottish Cup victory over their rivals.
And despite the numerous age jokes sent his way in the aftermath, Davis believes his ability to score such a goal is testament to how he’s adapted his game and training regime a she’s gotten older.
He said: “A lot of things have come to fruition this season for me in terms of records I’ve been able to break.
“But that was a special moment, the overhead kick. The gaffer is still wondering what I was doing in the box at that particular time, with the role I play these days.
“I tried to break forward and the ball sat up nicely, so I decided to have a go. Thankfully, I didn’t embarrass myself and it hit the back of the net.
“To score any Old Firm goal is special but to get one like that will certainly stick in my memory. I can’t even remember too many like that in training, never mind in my career. I was getting plenty of text messages after it from friends, asking if my back was alright.
“But my body is feeling good. Looking after it more comes with education and experience.
“The game’s always evolving in terms of the information you get. My diet and the way I train has changed over the years.
“I think back to lockdown and the worry I had at this stage of my career was that it was the first time I’d had that kind of break. So you try to do everything you think is right but you don’t know whether it’s enough or too much. It’s about getting that
balance.
"Thankfully, I came back in a good place and I’ve carried that on. I’ve played more games than I imagined I would. I feel good.
“You certainly get to know your body more as you get older and I’m just trying to do the right things to keep performing well.”
