He has stood by Steven Davis ’ side as international captain, team mate and watched from afar as his number one fan.
Sixteen years on from observing his Northern Ireland debut close up Stephen Craigan insists Rangers ’ midfield lynchpin still has a huge role to play for club and country despite his next birthday being his 37th .. and his next cap his 127th.
However, just like his ability to control the pace of a game with a deft touch or simple pass, Davis is now approaching a stage in his career where the tempo needs to drop, according to his old Windsor Park team mate.
Davis made 59 appearances for club and country in nine months last season.
He was the cool head that helped the Light Blues end a decade-long wait for the title in astonishing style as well as reach the last 16 of the Europa League. He broke the UK international caps record and topped it off with the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award.
But if the quality is to continue to flow in the next campaign then Craigan reckons it’s time to cut back on the quantity.
And his old pal has the perfect mentor to help him do just that.
In fact, he’s pretty sure Steven Gerrard will already have had a quiet word about his international commitments.
Craigan said: “What will be vital will be how Steven Gerrard manages him.
“I think when you’ve had a guy like Steven who played deep into his 30s himself, he understands the requirements of having quality over quantity.
“Steven managed him well. He put him into some games and took him out. He allowed him to have his rest.
“But when the big games came along, he put him into the team. So that showed you how vital he was for the team.
“It’s up to others to then step up and try and move Steven Davis out of the way.
“That will decide for how long and how many games he plays.
“If someone else is playing better or is affecting the game the way he affects it, then there’s a chance that they’ll play ahead of him.
“But at times last season, he was their best midfield player.
"He took the pressure off other players by taking the ball, he understood when to speed the game up and when to slow it down.
“His game management in and out of possession - everything about it. Very seldom do you see Steven break into a sprint.
“I think that all boils down to position. Sometimes that comes as you get older and you understand the game a little bit better.
“When you are younger, you chase about, you want to tackle people and show everyone that you are fit and fresh.
“Sometimes the game is played in the mind. Steven will certainly play to a high standard next season.
“Whether he does that by playing 40 games or 25, Steven Gerrard will decide what’s best for him.
“I still love watching him for Northern Ireland and still think he is our best midfield player.
“There’s a few good young players coming through like Ali McCann at St Johnstone and Ethan Galbraith at Manchester United and Alfie McCalmont at Leeds United who has been on loan at Oldham.
“There’s no better mentor than Steven Davis to learn from, be around, ask questions and see how he prepares.
“From a Rangers perspective I wouldn’t be surprised if Steven Gerrard has had a quiet word to ask what his plans are.
“I’m guessing there’ll be a conversation down the line whether it’s maybe just competitive games he plays in from now.”
Davis will turn 37 on New Year’s Day. And he’s already stated his ambition for another milestone - to play at a first World Cup Finals when they come around in Qatar next winter.
Craigan, a sub when Davis marked his arrival on the international stage in a lowkey Windsor Park friendly defeat to Canada in February 2005, reckons the midfielder deserves that chance after 16 years of unrivalled national service.
He’s taken a break from Northern Ireland’s friendly fixtures this week to recharge the batteries after the most draining of campaigns.
And Craigan said: “Steven has to get the balance. Particularly over the past year, year and a half, when you go to play international games it’s been triple headers so there’s not a lot of recovery time in between.
“It will come down to how Steven feels and how long he’ll want to continue playing for Northern Ireland.
“But 126 caps is sensational for a midfielder. When you consider the ground they cover, the distances he puts in.
“Whenever he has been needed by his country he has led from the front either as captain or as a young boy turning up wanting to play.
“You’d think somewhere along the line at some stage Steven would have to take a step back from international football.
“That will be a sad day for Northern Ireland and a sad day for him. As long as he stays fit and feels fresh.
“He’s the kind of kid who doesn’t like to say no. He just likes to go along with things but somewhere along the line he will have to take his club career into consideration.”
