David Weir was Walter Smith’s first signing of his second spell as Rangers manager on the 16th January 2007. At the age of 35 many Rangers fans presumed this would be a short term deal, to steady a very shaky defence in what was probably the worst managerial regime in Rangers’ history under Frenchman Paul Le Guen. Davie, as he was known in the footballing world, signed an initial 6 month deal and made his debut against Dunfermline on the 21st January 2007. Davie would form a formidable partnership with Rangers’ other new centre back Ugo Eghiou, seeing of Celtic twice and dramatically reducing the gap in the league that season even though the damage had been done and Rangers would lose out on the title.
At the end of season 06/07. Davie would sign another 12th month deal to play another full season for his boyhood heroes. The season would probably be the most rollercoaster like in Rangers history. Carlos Cuellar would partner up with Weir at the beginning of the new season after the departure of Ehgiou. Weir and Cuellar formed an almost invincible defence and set Rangers on their way to an early 7 point lead in the league, seeing off Celtic 3-0 on the way. Rangers were also flying on the European front winning emphatically in Lyon and keeping a clean sheet at Ibrox against Euro giants Barcelona. After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the last 16 Rangers would drop into the Uefa Cup and make it all the way to the final in Manchester on the 14th May 2008. Even at the age of 36 Davie managed an astonishing 66 appearances, although the European run would dent hopes of the SPL title and the run of games lead to Rangers losing out on the final game.
Season 08/09 was the beginning of Weir’s greatest spell though. After the controversial events with Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor on Scotland duty. Davie would take on the captaincy for second half of the season while Ferguson served a club suspension and battled injury, leading the Gers to a helicopter Sunday title win at Tannadice. Davie lifted the trophy with Ferguson who was to depart for Birmingham in the close season, leaving Weir permanent captain of the club after he amazingly signed on for another season.
Rangers made it 2 in a row in 09/10 and fans thought Davie would bow out on a high. This wasn’t to be the case. He again signed on for another 12 months captaining Ranger to 3 in a row and world record 54th title in season 10/11. Same again at the end, Rangers fans believed at 40 years old Davie would hang the boots up, but as we all knew he was as fit as a fiddle and wanted another season in light blue. Unfortunetly he would pick up an injury which would see him miss most of this first half of this season and even when he returned to fitness the brand new defensive partnership of Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian would keep Davie out the team.
January 17th 2012, almost 5 years to the day he signed, Weir declared he’d played his last game in light blue and ended his Rangers career. After 8 trophies, a European Final and 231 appearances Davie will move on to pastures new. Right now it’s rumoured he’s going to play for an unnamed club in England, although it’s no secret he wants to move into management. Whatever he does though, he will have the best wishes from every Rangers fan around the globe for the magnificent 5 years he’s gave to us. Rangers have many successful captains and Davie Weir will sit proudly in that list.
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