Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours having led his country to the last 16 at last summer's European Championships.

The 32-year-old Southampton midfielder skippered his country in France at their first major finals in 30 years and helped Michael O'Neill's team to the knockout stages, where they were eliminated by eventual semi-finalists Wales 12 months ago.

Davis, who has won 95 caps for Northern Ireland, scored twice against Greece in Belfast last October in the game which clinched his country's qualification for the Euros.

His international boss O'Neill earned an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to football and to the community in Northern Ireland, and Davis admitted he was shocked to have been recognised too.

"It is just a huge honour for both myself and my family," the father of two said.

"I was shocked and taken aback when I was told about it. I thought it was a joke at first.

"It was just something that had never registered with me, that I might receive something like this. Now, however, I think it's unbelievable. To get recognition like this when I'm still playing is a massive thing."