ST MIRREN boss Stephen Robinson has revealed he was "desperate" to sign Steven Davis before his new Rangers deal.

Northern Ireland and Ibrox legend Davis, 37, was coming to the end of his Rangers contract in the summer.

There was serious speculation the midfielder could leave the club before a new one-year deal was agreed at the end of the season.

Now, St Mirren boss Robinson has revealed he contacted Davis after reading rumours suggesting the player was heading to Paisley.

Bur Robinson was left disappointed as Davis committed to another year in Glasgow.

Robinson - who is in Northern Ireland with his St Mirren squad for pre-season - revealed to the Belfast Telegraph: “I was desperate to sign him. I was hoping he wouldn’t get another deal.

“There were a lot of rumours that he was coming to St Mirren. 

"I texted him to say, ‘Is there any truth that you are interested?’

“But he had already signed a contract with Rangers and I wasn’t surprised by that.

“Steven is a top-class person and a top-class professional and you don’t get as many caps as he has without being a fantastic player."