Steven Davis would like to be Northern Ireland skipper
Last updated on .From the section Football
Steven Davis will captain Northern Ireland against Estonia on Friday night - and the Rangers midfielder wants the job on a permanent basis.
To mark his 50th cap, Davis will lead the men in green out for their penultimate Euro 2012 qualifier.
But, in the long term, he is regarded as one of the candidates to succeed retiring skipper Aaron Hughes.
"I have enjoyed standing in as Rangers captain and anyone would be proud to lead their country," said Davis.
Hughes had been expected to lead Northern Ireland for their last qualifier away to Italy on 11 October but has been ruled out by injury.
So, the curtain has come down on the Fulham defender's international career and Davis acknowledged Hughes would be badly missed.
"It is a huge blow because Aaron has been such a consistent performer for us ever since he started playing.
"He is someone everybody in the squad looks up to.
"I have enjoyed standing in for David Weir as captain of Rangers and would love to do it for Northern Ireland."
Davis admitted the last two Euro 2012 results - defeats by Serbia and Estonia - had left the squad deflated.
"They were bitter blows but we want to get our pride back in the last two games."
