NEW Airdrie manager Rhys McCabe says it's no surprise to see his old Ibrox mentor Steven Davis still strutting his stuff at the top level.

McCabe, who at 29 has just become the youngest manager in the country, has credited the Northern Irishman for helping him develop in the early part of his career as a Rangers academy prospect.

With Davis having recently signed a one-year extension at the ripe old age of 37, McCabe told the Rangers Review he always expected the midfielder to have a long and illustrious career.

And while on the field his quality still shines brightly, McCabe insists his character off it is just as luminous and an inspiration to those around him.

He said: “Absolute credit to him and he’s such a humble person, even from when I was a young boy.

“He made time out of his way to speak to the young boys in a respectful manner. There was never a fear factor there, he was always approachable, always willing to give advice regardless of what it was.

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“When you look at the tail end of the season when he came in and played more often he was still arguably the best player on the pitch at that age.

“It’s no surprise that he’s going into these big games and he’s a standout performer because he’s a top, top player and a top, top person first and foremost.

“I can say that through experience and I’m sure a lot of the younger boys at the time would all say the same thing, you couldn’t say a bad word about Steven Davis.

“He and the other experienced pros were excellent for us growing up.

"We were learning our trade in a harsh school of first-team football and a first-team environment but they had that softer side that meant you could lean on them and ask questions and they just generally gave up their time and looked out for you.”