Steven Davis ready to win his 100th cap as Northern Ireland stand on the cusp of World Cup qualifcation

On Thursday, in Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off against Switzerland, this self-effacing, maturing and skilful leader of his country wins his 100th cap

Davis is one of Northern Ireland's most influential and important players (Getty)

On the cusp. Over the past three years the Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has used this three-word preview so often it could be his motto. On each occasion it has been appropriate for his team, and now it applies to him alone.

On Thursday, Davis, this self-effacing, maturing and skilful leader of his country wins his 100th cap. That it comes against Switzerland in a World Cup play-off was not always foreseeable.

It has taken Davis 12 sometimes hard years to reach the landmark, but from midway through the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, he began to be asked about the possibility of this group of Irish players making history.

“We’re on the cusp,” would always form part of Davis’s reply.

It is the difference between potential and fulfilment and thanks to the efforts of Davis, Northern Ireland made good on his statement. Against Greece in Belfast two years ago, missing Jonny Evans and talisman goalscorer Kyle Lafferty, Davis scored twice to ensure qualification for France. His calm, driven personality counted.

It was the first time Northern Ireland had reached the European Championships; it was the first time in 30 years, a generation, that Northern Ireland had been to any finals.

Given that when Davis won his first cap, against Canada back in 2005 under Lawrie Sanchez, the Irish had not won at home for three years, Davis has seen Windsor Park in different lights.

“It’s quite incredible,” he says of the contrast at the hotel outside Belfast where Northern Ireland are preparing for Switzerland. “I think the players who have been around the squad for longer know how difficult it is to get consistent results at international level.

“It makes you appreciate the success we have had so much more. Some of the new additions to the squad only know good times.”

Now 32, Davis was once a new boy. His Irish hero was George Best but his role models were Jim Magilton and Neil Lennon, the sort of precise, passing midfielders Davis became at Aston Villa, Fulham, Rangers and Southampton.

That was and is top-flight football, whereas playing for Northern Ireland frequently entailed hope more than expectation. There were the odd satisfying moments – beating England and Spain in Belfast – but there were also a lot of occasions when Davis and his colleagues left the pitch a beaten team. There was the ultimate low of losing to Luxembourg in 2013. He played all 90 minutes that night.

Davis leading his team out against Norway (Getty)

As Davis said of that first cap against Canada, a 1-0 defeat: “On a personal level it was a special night to make my debut, being at home as well, but the result and performance left a bit to be desired.

“If you play that number of games [100] you are going to have highs and lows. It's been nice starting on a low and then coming into this high, rather than the other way round. I'm really enjoying it. It is difficult when you come away with nothing to show for it, but the last few years have been special.”

There is a growing recognition of Davis’s abilities but he remains quiet, underrated. He is not a shouter of a captain and after those goals against Greece, when he pointed to the skies in celebration, it was a rare public display of emotion. His mother had recently passed away.

Within the squad, though, Davis is cherished for the example he sets. As Michael O’Neill says: “There’s all types of captains, but for me Steven epitomises everything you want.

“He takes responsibility on the pitch, he drives the team forward, he’s an example in terms of how he is as a professional, how he is as a person. He’s never not been available, never said he needs a rest, never comes off. That gives you an indication of what type of individual he is.”

An MBE received at Buckingham Palace last week was evidence of appreciation, but it was typical of Davis to pass it on to others.

Davis receiving his MBE at Buckingham Palace last week (Getty)

“It is very humbling to be there and recognise what people have achieved in their lives,” he says. “I got an award for doing something that I have loved, and it's not something I ever expected, but I'm very proud of.

“I'll probably keep in touch with a few of the award winners. There was a guy from Glasgow who had lost his son and then went on a campaign to raise money for a teenage cancer fund, it was nice to share that experience.”

Davis’s sincerity is real, which is why other players follow him. He had earned those 100 caps and the 101st on Sunday in Basel. It could be as special as any.

“We've done a lot of homework on the Swiss,” he adds. “Michael is always well prepared. As soon as we got in he had little paper booklets made up of them with information.

“I’m excited and really looking forward to it. We all understand the ramifications of the two results, but it’s a great position to be in. We’re exactly where we wanted to be before a ball a was kicked in the group. I think we have it all to gain.”

Northern Ireland and their captain are, once again, on the cusp.