Rangers romp leaves Davis dazzled
Friday, April 11, 2008
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"Just unbelievable" was Steven Davis's take on a sterling Rangers FC performance in Lisbon, which set up a UEFA Cup semi-final meeting with ACF Fiorentina.
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Energetic
The Northern Irishman put in an energetic performance on the right side of the visitors' midfield, epitomised by a lung-bursting run which helped create an away goal on the hour to effectively end Sporting's hopes following a goalless opener a week ago. Fed by Jean-Claude Darcheville, he sped down the flank before returning the favour for the Frenchman who redirected the ball into the home net with his left foot.
'Wonder goal'
"I was delighted," Davis told uefa.com, recalling his part in the goal. "Darch played it to me and I obviously saw him running into the box. I knew if I could play a good ball in he'd finish it off and that's what happened." Substitute Steven Whittaker supplied the coup de grâce, running the length of the Sporting half before finishing with ease in added time. "A wonder goal," said Davis.
European novice
Although a regular for Northern Ireland in their storming UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign, Davis was playing only his sixth match in European club football following a winter transfer from Fulham FC. "It was just great to be involved," said the 23-year-old. "One of the things which attracted me to come to Rangers was the opportunity to play European football and for nights like this."
'Bit of luck'
Rangers survived a scare when Liedson headed against the post in the 18th minute, but visiting boss Walter Smith was content with a first-half showing that laid the platform for their second-half heroics. Davis said: "The manager was pleased at half-time with the way things were going. We passed the ball quite well first half and they didn't cause us any real problems apart from hitting the post, so we had a bit of luck with that. He just told us to keep going and the chances would come and luckily enough Darch finished one off for us."
'Delighted'
Fiorentina now stand in the way of Rangers and a first UEFA Cup final, and Davis is entitled to dream of appearing in Manchester on 14 May. "At this stage who knows what will happen," he said. "Everybody's delighted to get through and be in the next round, and hopefully we can produce a couple more good performances. First and foremost, though, we're going to enjoy the win tonight."