Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis insists his only focus is on the here and now with club and country after admitting he’s growing increasingly frustrated by questions on his future.
The Rangers midfielder, who marked his 133rd cap with a goal in Friday night's 3-1 friendly win in Luxembourg, is out of contract in the summer and has yet to sign a new deal at Ibrox.
The impending uncertainty surrounding the 37-year-old’s club career has many fans fearing that Davis may call time on national duty in the weeks or months ahead.
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Not that the veteran playmaker is ready to lift his gaze beyond the present as he chases down a fifth league title with Rangers in the final two months of the season.
He also has the little matter of Tuesday night’s home friendly with a Hungary side who played at last summer’s Euro finals and have lost just one of their last 10 games on the road.
“During the last campaign, there were so many questions, would I retire or not?” said Davis. “I think I got asked about it so many times it maybe was a little bit frustrating.
“Obviously you want to just concentrate on your football, although I understand it comes with being out of contract in the summer.
“But it’s the same situation I’ve been in these last couple of years in terms of contract talks only coming to fruition at this stage (of the year).
“I just want to enjoy my football and I haven’t thought too much beyond the end of the season.
“I think it’s important, especially as you get older, that you don’t look too far ahead and I just want to finish the season strongly and go from there.
“My main aim this week was to try and get some fitness, go back to Rangers for a really important run-in and see how things are after that.”
After playing just five minutes of league action for Rangers since December, mainly due to injury, Davis was relieved to get back on the pitch against Luxembourg.
He was also delighted to stab home his 13th international goal to make it 2-1 late on. Only Kyle Lafferty (20) and David Healy (36) are now above him in the all-time scoring charts.
“I probably should have had a few more goals in my international career,” said Davis. “But it was nice to get up the pitch, sniff out a chance and see it hit the net.
“With the frustration I’ve had with not playing, it was nice to come on and make an impact. It felt good and it was another step in the right direction.”
The last time Hungary visited Belfast was in 2015 when a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw at a yet-to-be redeveloped Windsor Park.
Chris Baird was sent off for two quickfire yellows in the same passage of play, while Kyle Lafferty fired home a late equaliser to seal a vital result en route to France.
“I’ve mainly positive memories of that game, mainly because of how it ended,” said Davis, who would go on to captain Northern Ireland at the Euro 2016 tournament.
“It was a strange situation with Bairdy getting two yellow cards in one instance, but it ended up being an important result for us in terms of qualifying for the finals.”
Read more: Hungarian reporter prompts NI boss Ian Baraclough to make Kyle Lafferty admission
Read more: Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis hails late goal in Luxembourg as 'icing on cake'
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