Keeping Smith should be top priority - Weir

26 April 2010 15:38

David Weir has urged Rangers to pull out all the stops to ensure Walter Smith remains at the helm next season after guiding the Scottish champions to a second consecutive title triumph.

The veteran boss has yet to decide whether to stay at Ibrox to defend his crown and is well aware that the decision may not be his to make if the club succeeds in its search for a new owner.

But Weir said: "It's crucial [to keep him] because of what he has done, what he has achieved and what he has got out of us."

He added: "It's been an incredible achievement. I think any Rangers fan, anybody who's got the best interests of the club at heart, would hope he stays on.

"He has been the difference, without a shadow of a doubt. Three years ago when he came in we were fighting for second place. Now we have won back-to-back titles, six trophies in three years and been to a UEFA Cup final.

"It's down to him, as simple as that. The players have obviously contributed but the manager is the one who takes it on the chin when things go wrong so he deserves the credit when it goes right."

Weir will celebrate his 40th birthday this month and, having operated on a season-by-season contract at Rangers, the veteran defender also has no idea whether he will be at Ibrox beyond this campaign.

"I've not really thought about that to be honest," he said.

"We've only just won the title and we will enjoy it for the next couple of days and start thinking about things like that later on."

Source: PA