Rangers star midfielder Steven Davis last night said Northern Ireland will not be intimidated by the stylish Czech Republic after opening their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with defeat in Bratislava.

The talented Czechs are in Belfast this week for Northern Ireland’s second match on their road to South Africa.

And Davis is confident Northern Ireland can turn around their Group Three fortunes.

Twenty three year-old Davis who was frustrated at losing to the Slovaks, can’t wait to sink his teeth into a Czech Republic side who are the favourites to win Group Three.

“We don’t fear anyone in world football now,” said Davis, who joined Rangers permanently from Fulham after last month’s friendly against Scotland last month.

“To be honest, I’ve never noticed a fear factor since I joined the squad three and a half year ago.

“They are a top quality side, obviously. I watched the highlights of their game against England, they caused a lot of problems and I’m sure it will be the same this week.

“They are the best team in the group and there is never an easy time to play them, but we’ve got great results at Windsor Park against top teams before, and we hope to continue that.

“We have to be confident, because we have progressed well with the results we got in the last campaign. It’s a tough ask to qualify, but there’s no point taking part if you’re not confident.”

“We showed against Scotland that we have the players and we got a good result at Hampden Park.

“We have talked about the way we play, about which formation suits best and what our jobs are.

“We know our away form has let us down. We have worked on our shape away from home and at Windsor Park. Nigel has been very thorough.”

Davis’ performances improved immensely since he joined Rangers on loan at the end of February and then permanently last month.

He hopes his good displays at club level will benefit him on the international stage.

Davis is hurting from last year’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and desperately hopes, despite last night’s defeat, Northern Ireland can go one better this time.

“Since I moved to Rangers I have noticed an improvement in my game. Sometimes at Fulham, the manager wanted the ball played up front early whereas Rangers play more football,” says the Cullybackey man.

“And Nigel has the same philosophy, he likes us to get the ball down and play a passing game, and that suits me down to the ground.

“We have a good blend of youth and experience in the squad and the spirit is very high. There is still a feeling of missing the boat in our last campaign but we have to be positive.

“If you had offered us the success we enjoyed at the start of last campaign we would have taken it.

“It was a good experience for us and we have got to build on that and keep progressing. Our first home game is vital. Hopefully we can all do our bit to make it another night to remember.”