Source: FOOTYMAD
Weir's Way
Big decisions for Walter Smith and David Weir after the celebrations calm down. David Weir wants Rangers to do all they can to persuade Walter Smith to stay on at Ibrox as manager. Smith has still to announce any decision about his future but much will depend on Rangers being able to find a new owner. They may have their own grand plan and their money will make the decision. However, Weir thinks that any new group in charge would be remiss in their duty of care if they did not consider hanging onto the man who has transformed Rangers from a club on its knees to the top team in the country for the second year running. 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. 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." Of course, Weir also has his future to consider. He will celebrate his 40th birthday this month and is on a season-by-season contract at Rangers. His thoughts have not strayed beyond celebrating winning the league and the veteran defender has no idea whether he will be at Ibrox beyond this campaign. He said: "I've not really thought about that to be honest. 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." If this does prove to be his final season at Rangers, Weir will bow out on a high when he lifts the SPL trophy at Ibrox on May 9 - an honour which was shared with former captain Barry Ferguson last year. He said: "It wasn't just down to me but, being captain, it was nice to win it again this year. Last year, Barry was captain for the majority of the season and he deserved to lift the trophy. Hopefully this year I deserved to lift it." A goal from Kyle Lafferty at Easter Road on Sunday was enough to secure the league win and allowed the celebrations to finally get underway after weeks of expectation. Weir admitted: "To be honest, it was just relief afterwards. It's been a long time coming and I personally think of the worst that can happen and you hope you are not going to throw it away. It was nice to get the chance to finally win it and thankfully we did. That's what this team is all about. We have had circumstances all season that have been difficult for us but we've got through it and we have met the challenges and that's why we have been successful. You've got to give the players credit for what they have achieved. Although the manager has kept all the things that have gone on away from us and we've not really been affected by it, it has still happened and everybody has been aware of it. It's not really affected us but we know this is a big achievement." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
