Terms all used to describe David Weir when he signed for Rangers in January 2007 by his former boss at Everton and in the Scotland national team, Walter Smith. Rangers had just sacked/let go PLG and incredibly the defensive partnership of Karl Svensson and Brahim Hemdani was not working out too well.
When he arrived, he had the tough job first of all of filling the esteemed number 3 jersey being vacated by Olivier Bernard.*
Weir’s first game (and Smith’s second following a 5-0 trouncing of Dundee United) was a 1-0 away win at Dunfermline. Exactly the kind of stifling defensive performance Weir had helped command for the national side.
What followed for the rest of the season was Rangers unbeaten in Scotland until the last two games, which could be described as meaningless in that context as second place had been secured.
Over the next four seasons, Weir would be part of what will be looked back upon in years to come as a good Rangers side, which graced a European final in its first full season, followed in the three seasons after that with successive title victories.
In time, Weir would be joined by Christian Dailly, and other members of Smith’s Scotland set-up to give a distinctly Scottish feel to the Rangers side which, with a smattering of decent quality foreigners, allowed Rangers to be the mid-term success of the late noughties.
* In double-checking some facts for this article the names that were on that squad list are incredible reading – Letizi, Sebo, Martin, Buffel, Fanfan etc. [I think Buffel was decent…but yes, that’s largely bleak! Ed.]
———————————————————————————————————-
About the Author
At 31 years old, Ross Leslie, is a relative latecomer to the comedy scene and with his general appearance you would be forgiven for thinking he is an even later-comer, which is a phrase that should hopefully not catch on as it sounds a little uncouth.
As well as starting out in the stand-up comedy world, Ross writes articles and blogs for various other websites and has other TV and radio projects in the pipeline that will probably never see the light of day, however at least it has cured his Football Manager addiction.
A lifelong Rangers fan, Ross’s first game was at Tynecastle in 1986 to watch Hearts hump us 3-1, when they used to be a football team and not the tabloid-fodder they have become. His favourite human being (apart from any family or friends reading this) are Alistair (Ally to everyone apart from Walter Smith for some reason) McCoist, with (King) Kenny Miller a close second.
Best memory from supporting Rangers was when leaving Ibrox after Rangers had annihilated Sturm Graz 5-0 telling his impressionable younger brother that he would take him to the Champions League Final they would definitely be making this year.
Please visit Ross on his Tumblr blog and Twitter page for more disappointment and resentment.
Follow Ross on Twitter: @misterross
Read Ross’ blog: http://mum-blings.tumblr.com/
