LEADING Rangers out in an Old Firm match is not a new experience for David Weir, but today will be the first time he will do so as skipper in his own right.
Weir stood in for the injured Barry Ferguson on the first derby of the season, which Rangers won 4-2 at Celtic Park. Although now a few weeks away from the end of his third short-term contract with Rangers, nothing feels temporary about Weir. This s
eason will see him again amass over 40 games in a Rangers shirt.
Indeed, this afternoon's pivotal clash with Celtic is his 41st appearance of the season, although emphasising just how hectic Rangers' schedule had become by this stage last season is the fact that by this same weekend in the campaign, Weir had already played 59 times for the Ibrox side. Game No 60 was a controversial clash with Dundee United at Ibrox, when Mike McCurry earned the wrath of Craig Levein and the late Eddie Thompson, while his 61st appearance was a Uefa Cup final.
Weir is still gathering memories, and, he hopes, aims to add more souvenirs to a medal collection which would be completed by the addition of a championship.
"I'd love a league championship medal, of course I would," he said yesterday. "It is what we are here for. It is what Rangers Football Club are about. We are here to try and win leagues. Last year was a big disappointment. Getting another bite at the cherry this year has been important and we are four games away now. It is a massive couple of weeks coming up, obviously. It is an opportunity and a huge achievement if Rangers win it."
Weir's worth to the Ibrox cause was recognised when selected as the outstanding candidate to assume Ferguson's role of skipper once it became clear the midfielder's future with Rangers had been compromised by his behaviour while on Scotland duty. Under Weir's leadership Rangers have not lost a match, and manager Walter Smith this week referred to the "quiet strength" which the player offers.
While both Weir and his manager have agreed to keep discussions about a new contract under wraps until after the Scottish Cup final at the end of this month, it is not hard to imagine the player, who turns 39 tomorrow, leading the team out on the first day of next season. As to whether he will be doing so as skipper of the champions, a lot rests on this afternoon's final Old Firm derby of the season.
"I've been impressed by the way he handles the captaincy," said Smith earlier this week. "He has the respect of everyone in the dressing room and that's an important factor. The change of captaincy, which could have been a big thing for us, has not been as big because of his demeanour."
Smith accepted that the demotion of Ferguson, a popular player within the first-team group, might have proved problematic. But such is the level of respect commanded by Weir that the players have responded positively to the change, with the player himself gratified that Ferguson has accepted this transferal of authority within the changing-room without complaint.
"I am not really doing anything any differently as captain," he said. "It has not made a huge difference to me. If you do have to change then maybe you are not doing something right in the first place. Barry is here, working on his fitness and there has not been a problem. He is a member of the squad and we talk on a regular basis. As far as I am aware, there's no issue there."
Somewhat alarmingly for the deposed skipper, a player in his 40th year has perhaps more chance of being at the club next season than Ferguson himself. Weir is open to the idea of playing on, and Smith is confident he can. "Davie has the capability of playing for another season," he said. "He has hardly missed a game this season. There is no reason why he shouldn't play on for another year."
Only his domestic circumstances put the question of him remaining at Rangers in any doubt, although it did not stop him signing on again last year. Weir's wife, Fiona, and their four children have remained in Cheshire throughout his stay at Ibrox, meaning the player can now boast impressive knowledge of roadside flora and fauna on the M6.
"I genuinely have not thought about next season. I am still living down south. I'm getting older – as everyone keeps telling me. I take it week to week, as I generally do. At my age, you do not look too far ahead.
"Once I had the chance to sign here again last summer, my mind – after talking it over with the family – was made up. It is a big sacrifice. I spend a lot of time away from home but millions of people the world over work away from home. I just happen to be a footballer.
"I am not going to plead hard done by," he added. "Yes, it is a sacrifice. But it is a sacrifice worth making and I have enjoyed every minute of it with Rangers. We have four children and they don't get up to too many games. My sons are too busy playing Saturdays and Sundays themselves. The oldest is nine years old. They will do well to watch it on the TV."
Not too many others will be as divorced from the proceedings at Ibrox today as Weir concentrates on being a father to his team for 90 crucial minutes.
