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Davie Weir- A Tribute Wednesday, 18 January 2012 17:30 Written by croatianbicycles

By the age of 41 most players are well into their retirement and have embarked in careers in the media or coaching. But in January 2007; at the age of 36 Davie Weir moved to Rangers. The move was initially a 6 month contract- a stop gap for a leaky Rangers defence lacking in experience. Five years on and 3 League Cups, 2 Scottish Cups, 3 Scottish Premier League Titles, a UEFA Cup final, and 18 Champions League starts later, Davie Weir has finally hung up the royal blue jersey for the last time.

So where did it all begin for David Weir? 

In 1986 Davie embarked on a football scholarship at the University of Evansville. He remained state-side until 1990. At the time it was claimed that Weir did not have enough pace to play as a central defender, this resulted in David playing as a centre forward. In his final season he amassed 27 goals in 26 games, an impressive return for any striker, let alone a defender, come striker. 

Upon returning from the United States David Weir did not sign a contract with any team for two years. Weir at the age of 22, signed his first professional contract with his hometown club Falkirk in 1992. Reverting back to his more natural central defender’s position; Weir enjoyed success in the SFL Challenge Cup with the Bairns, winning the trophy in 1993 following a 3-0 victory over Paisley’s Saint Mirren. Weir was also part of the Falkirk side which won promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1993-94 season. 

June 1996 saw a fresh start for David, completing a move to Heart of Midlothian. Similarly to his spell at Falkirk he continued to impress, making his international debut whilst at the Edinburgh club, a 1-0 defeat to Wales in 1997. Weir was also part of the Hearts side which famously defeated Rangers 2-1 in the 1998 Scottish Cup final, in what was originally meant to be Walter Smith’s last game as Rangers manager. David Weir was also involved in the highly controversial match against Rangers, which saw four Hearts players dismissed in the space of just 2 minutes. David was one of the unfortunate four to see red.

Little over 6 months after the Scottish Cup final in which Weir conquered Walter Smith, he was to link up with him at English Premiership side Everton. The Toffees fought of Merseyside Rivals Liverpool to secure Weir’s signature. Davie signed for the bargain price of £200,000. Weir revealed that Smith was the deciding factor in his choice of destination, speaking of his admiration of the one (two) time Rangers boss. During his time at Everton David Weir was made captain first by Walter Smith, and then by Walters’ predecessor David Moyes. Weir’s biggest achievement at Everton came in the 04/05 season. This saw the Merseyside club break into the ‘Top 4’ and qualify for a UEFA Champions League place.

Because of his club success it was inevitable that Davie would be called up for the Scotland squad, as previously mentioned Weir made his debut at the age of 26 in a friendly defeat to Wales in 1997. His good form at then club team Hearts would be further rewarded with a place in Craig Brown’s Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup in France. David played in 2 games out of 3; coming on as a substitute for the injured Colin Calderwood versus Norway and starting against the Northern African nation of Morocco. It was in the game against Norway that Davie Weir claimed Scotland’s last assist in a major International tournament, when a long ball found striker Craig Burley. Since then Davie Weir has gone on to win 69 caps- Scotland’s 6th highest ever. In his 69 appearances Davie has scored just the solitary goal. The goal came in a 2-1 victory over Latvia at Hampden Park in 2001. In 2002, following a fall out with then Scotland boss Berti Vogts, Weir retired from international football. His international self-imposed exile lasted until 2004 when Walter Smith succeeded the German as Scotland manager. In 2006 Weir was inducted into the Scotland National Football Team Roll of Honour- following his 50th cap for his country. Davie Weir can also boast being Scotland’s oldest ever player at the age of 40. Weir played in a European Championship qualifier against Lithuania in September 2010. 

Following two failed attempts to sign Davie Weir at Rangers Walter finally had his man. Albeit 10 years plus later…

David Weir moved to Rangers in January 2007 following a shake up of the Rangers management, which saw the end of Paul LeGuen’s ill fated 6 months in charge of Rangers. Frenchman LeGuen replaced by Rangers legend Walter Smith, accompanied by Ibrox strike hero Ally McCoist and former St. Mirren player Kenny McDowell. Smith aimed to bring stability back to the Ibrox club, already out of both domestic cups and trailing Celtic dramatically in the title race.

Originally only signing until the end of the season, David Weir was signed as a rock to anchor a leaky Rangers defence. Weir’s performances saw him be rewarded with a 12 month extension to his contract at Ibrox. The 12 months that followed would see Rangers embark on one of their biggest ever adventures; chasing a historic quadruple, in which Rangers were whiskers away from achieving. Rangers reached the UEFA Cup final knocking European powerhouses out along the way. Ultimately, losing 2-0 to Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg in the Manchester final. Rangers also lost the battle for the League title on the last day of the season. However, Rangers had success in the domestic cups- winning them both. Davie Weir amassed a massive 60 games throughout the season. Quite impressive for someone the wrong side of 35! 

Again, David was rewarded with 12 month contract for the up coming 2008-09 season. Following an early European exit, Rangers had the primary focus of brining the League Title back to Ibrox. March 2009 would see Davie handed the captain’s armband permanently; following controversy involving then captain; Barry Ferguson. Under the stewardship of Davie Weir Rangers went on to win the league for the first time since 2005. Rangers also went on to win the Scottish Cup for the second year in a row. In the season 08/09 Davie Weir missed only one game through suspension.

Without sounding like a broken record, again Davie was rewarded with a new 12 month contract. There was much speculation that this would be David’s last season at the club, Rangers now facing a cash crisis required Davie for depth of squad. Weir would again be a permanent feature in the Rangers’ backline. Rangers went on to walk the league, Celtic were simply awful as Mowbray revolution crumbled. By the end of the season the Rangers captain had turned 40 yet showed no signs of stopping. 

The cash strapped Rangers, almost had no choice but to renew the contract of Davie Weir, they simply couldn’t afford a new central defender as competent as the 40 year-old. Davie Weir became the oldest ever player to play in the Champions League following a tie with Turkish Champions Bursaspor. Weir has also become Rangers oldest ever outfield player during the 2010-2011 campaign. Rangers added to their Co-op Cup, with the league title following a 5-1 win at Rugby Park vs Kilmarnock. Davie Weir and co signed off in style, giving Walter Smith the perfect leaving gift.

Weir played has made just a solitary appearence this season a Champions League qualifier against Malmo. The appearnce was ultimately cut-short by injury. Summer signings Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the Rangers' defence, and Davie found himself frozen out. Davie leaves perhaps not on the high that he deserves but, without doubt, he goes with the well wishes of every fan. 

“David Weir No Surrender!” and “We all dream of a team of Davie Weirs” can be heard at every Rangers game, a fitting tribute to the Rangers captain. The man is a model professional; playing at the highest level at his age is some achievement. Kids will look up to the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo and Messi, but really they should spare a thought for players like Davie Weir. He is one of the players of a special mould, similar to that of Paolo Maldini. I don’t think it would be too far off to call Davie Weir our Maldini. 

Davie Weir is undoubtedly a Scottish Football Icon. David Weir: Legend!