Rangers: Barry deserved to lift trophy with me, says captain Weir

Published on Monday 25 May 2009 10:11

RANGERS captain David Weir insists Barry Ferguson deserved to lift the Clydesdale Bank Premier League trophy just as much as he did.

Weir took over the skipper's armband several weeks ago when Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy and looked like his Rangers career was over in the wake of the infamous 'Boozegate' affair.

However, the midfielder has come off the bench in the last two games to help the Ibrox side defeat Aberdeen and Dundee United to clinch the title on the final day.

Goals from Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and Boyd sealed the 3-0 win against United that secured the title on what turned out to be a reasonably comfortable afternoon for Rangers.

And, when the time came for Weir to hold aloft the silverware following yesterday's 3-0 win at Tannadice, the veteran defender made sure it was a joint effort with Ferguson.

"It was the right decision," said Weir. "Barry has been the captain of the club for the majority of the season so I wouldn't have felt right doing it myself.

"Barry contributed a great deal to the season and played a big part and it was the right thing to do."

As well as the off-field problems with Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Rangers endured plenty of on-field obstacles as well.

At one stage, they were seven points adrift of rivals Celtic and written off in most quarters only to defy all the odds to triumph by four points and be crowned Scottish champions. "It says a lot about the team," said Weir.

"There have been questions asked all season. All week people have been asking whether we were capable of doing it and we have answered them in the right way.

"We probably put on one of our best performances of the season in the biggest game of the season, so that says everything.

"It's an amazing feeling. It has been a long season with lots of ups and downs so to finally get your hands on the trophy is massive."

The title triumph also guarantees Champions League football next season after suffering the disappointment of crashing out of Europe at the first hurdle at the start of this term.

"It means everything," said Weir. "We are guaranteed six games in the Champions League and that's where Rangers should be every season. It's great to have that to look forward to."

Fellow centre-half Madjid Bougherra is also relishing the prospect of his first taste of the Champions League after ending an impressive debut season at Ibrox with a league winner's medal.

He said: "It's a dream because I really wanted the title and the Champions League is coming now. It's perfect."

Rangers now turn their attention to Falkirk and next week's Homecoming Scottish Cup final as they attempt to secure a domestic double.

Gers boss Walter Smith meanwhile is relieved Rangers will not have to qualify for the Champions League. The Ibrox side fell at the first hurdle last summer when they were sent crashing out of Europe by Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas.

The early European exit clearly had major financial implications for the club, who admitted in January they may be forced to offload one of their key players to balance the books.

However, yesterday's title triumph means the newly-crowned champions have a 10million Champions League windfall to look forward to, as well as another crack at the continental stage.

Smith said: "We were disappointed to go out in Kaunas and I think that was a hangover from the previous season.

"The obvious delight after that experience is that we don't have a qualifying game this time and that's a big thing."