Jefferies: Weir is simply the best

25 March 2010 18:48
Jefferies sang the praises of the 39-year-old defender two days before his Hearts side are due to face the Ibrox club in the SPL.[LNB]Having worked with hundreds of players during a managerial career spanning more than a quarter of a century, Jefferies' endorsement of Weir is high praise indeed.[LNB]The 59-year-old, who kick-started the centre-back's career when he signed him for Falkirk 18 years ago, also believes Weir should be crowned Player of the Year.[LNB]"It's a fitting tribute for somebody playing at the level he's playing," said Jefferies of his assertion that Weir is the best player he has worked with.[LNB]"If there was one player in my whole time who's come in late, gone on to better himself, play for Scotland, and just the type of person he is, he'd be the one you would pick.[LNB]"He's just the complete professional.[LNB]"Playing at the level he has, at the age he is, just proves it for me."[LNB]Jefferies managed Weir for seven years at Falkirk and Hearts before selling him to Everton in 1999.[LNB]He believes if the defender was 15 years younger, he would currently be at one of the top clubs in the Premier League.[LNB]"I don't think there'd be any doubt about that," said Jefferies, who revealed he advised Rangers boss Walter Smith to sign Weir before he himself brought the defender to Hearts.[LNB]"I told Walter to sign him way back.[LNB]"We had discussions, we met at Westerwood Hotel, Walter and I.[LNB]"We had agreed a fee - I think it was for a lot of money at that time - about £300,000.[LNB]"Walter said, 'To play for Rangers is just a little bit different. You've got to be able to handle that pressure'.[LNB]"I said, 'That wouldn't be a problem for him'."[LNB]The deal broke down after Falkirk's chairman demanded double the fee and Jefferies believes Smith regrets being unable to land Weir until he became Everton boss.[LNB]"I think Walter's come out and said he's one of his best signings ever," Jefferies said. "He'll probably look back and think, 'I should've got him at that time'. I'm sure he thinks that."[LNB]Jefferies recalled his first encounter with Weir, who trained with Celtic as a teenager before leaving to play college football in the United States.[LNB]When he returned to Scotland, he wrote Jefferies a letter asking for a trial.[LNB]Jefferies said: "As soon as I got the balls out for the warm-up and watched him, I said to Billy (Brown), 'You'd better sign him quick'.[LNB]"In the warm-up, we knew he looked the part and comfortable on the ball."[LNB]Weir's debut came against Dundee United and the formidable Duncan Ferguson.[LNB]"He just had him in his pocket," Jefferies said. "He never looked back and was never out the side."[LNB]Jefferies was reunited with Weir at Hearts and the defender helped them beat Rangers in the 1998 Scottish Cup final.[LNB]"He was terrific for us, got in the World Cup squad and, like everybody else, he was immense on the cup final day," Jefferies said.[LNB]"The man himself as a person is just fantastic.[LNB]"He's the same person now as walked in the door at Falkirk all those years ago and that's a credit to him."[LNB][LNB] Hearts v Rangers. Click here to bet.  

Source: Team_Talk