Former Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has expressed confidence in the current squad's ability to produce a worthy permanent captain. Since Jonny Evans retired from international football in August 2024, manager Michael O'Neill has rotated the captaincy among players like Conor Bradley, Paddy McNair, Shea Charles, and Trai Hume. Davis, who captained the team 82 times, believes the next leader will be well-deserving of the role.

"There are some really good candidates," Davis said. "Michael has spread the captaincy over the course of the games, and he'll make the final decision. We have some excellent characters in the squad, with players performing at a high level and progressing their careers. There’s a strong core of young players who can carry the team for the next decade, and I’m excited to see where they can go."

Davis, who retired in January 2024 after a knee injury, holds the UK men’s international caps record with 140 appearances. He has since transitioned into a coaching role under O'Neill, assisting in preparations for Northern Ireland’s upcoming matches. "I’m learning a lot while working with Michael and his staff," Davis shared. "I’m also pursuing my coaching badges, so I’m looking forward to what the future holds."

Meanwhile, former winger Stuart Dallas, who was inducted into the Dr Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame alongside Davis, praised O’Neill’s efforts in rebuilding the team. "Michael is building something special," Dallas said. "This is a completely new team, and while they’ve lost a lot of experience, they’re exciting to watch. The more games they play, the more experience they’ll gain."

With the World Cup qualifying campaign set to begin in September, Northern Ireland will face tough opponents like Germany, Slovakia, and Luxembourg. Dallas emphasized the importance of managing expectations for the young squad. "It’s a young, exciting team with potential, but we can’t put too much pressure on them," he noted.

As Northern Ireland looks ahead to the qualifiers, the blend of emerging talent and experienced leadership promises an exciting future for the team.