David Weir in line for milestone after recall to Scotland fold

• David Weir has been picked for the double header against Lithuania and Liechtenstein Picture: PA

When the Rangers defender won his last cap, against the Netherlands in the fateful World Cup qualifying match at Hampden last year, it was always possible that it would be his swansong in a navy jersey. It would not have been the way any player would want to go out, with Weir slipping at a crucial moment to allow Eljero Elia through for the winning goal in the dying minutes.

Should Weir play again, he will overtake Jim Leighton as the oldest player to be capped for Scotland. The Aberdeen player made his last appearance in a 3-2 win over Estonia at Tynecastle in 1998, but then announced his retirement two days later in the build-up to a match against San Marino.

The longevity of goalkeepers' careers is reflected in the top ten of oldest Scotland players, with four keepers within the ranks - Leighton, Ronnie Simpson, Ned Doig and Henry Smith. Weir currently stands as the third oldest Scotland player, and is joined in the top ten by fellow outfield players Jimmy McMenemy, Alan Morton, team-mate Graham Alexander, Geroge Hamilton and Alex McNair.

Ironically, Weir's first match for Scotland in a European Championship qualifier was in the same match that Leighton bowed out, picking up a yellow card in the fraught victory over Estonia in Edinburgh. His first cap had come the previous year in a friendly match against Wales, the Scots going down 1-0 at Rugby Park in a friendly. In that debut match, the then Hearts defender's team-mates are largely blasts from the international past: Neil Sullivan, Tom Boyd, Christian Dailly, Brian McAllister, Tosh McKinlay, Kevin Gallacher, Scot Gemmill, Darren Jackson, Gary McAllister and Billy Dodds, with Leighton, John Spencer, Simon Donnelly, and Jackie McNamara coming on as substitutes.

Last night Hibs manager John Hughes compared ex-team-mate Weir to Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and insisted he is the role model for all his young players.

The Easter Road manager is not surprised Weir has been recalled to the Scotland set-up at the age of 40 for the opening Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Hughes fondly recalls playing alongside Weir during their time together at Falkirk from 1992-95 and says the 65-capped veteran remains as impressive as ever.

He said: "Davie is strolling through games, his control is great, he is the captain of Rangers.

"To any young player, I say look at him, look at the job he does for a club like Rangers.

"I saw an interview the other night with Sir Alex Ferguson, talking about the experience of (Paul) Scholes and (Ryan) Giggs and how they just keep going at Manchester United.

"Davie Weir is doing the same at Rangers. I take my hat off to him."

1. JIM LEIGHTON

40 years 2 months 6 days

Aberdeen goalkeeper won his last cap in 1998, v Estonia at Tynecastle

2. JIMMY McMENEMY

39 years 6 months 19 days

Celtic inside forward capped against Ireland in 1920.

3. DAVID WEIR

39 years 3 months 30 days

Last game was against Netherlands in September 2009. The Rangers defender is set to become the oldest Scotland player next week.

4. ALAN MORTON

39 years 0 months 14 days

Rangers inside forward, the Wee Blue Devil, played in a 3-1 win away to France, 1932.

5. RONNIE SIMPSON

38 years 0 months 26 days

Celtic goalkeeper went out with a win over Austria, 1968.

6. GRAHAM ALEXANDER

37 years 10 months 26 days

Burley skipper last played 11 months ago, v Macedonia.

7. GEORGE HAMILTON

36 years 5 months 12 days

Aberdeen inside forwardplayed against Norway in 1954.

8. NED DOIG

36 years 5 months 6 days

Sunderland goalkeeper faced England in 1903.

9. ALEC McNAIR

36 years 3 months 15 days

Celtic right back was in side beaten 5-4 by England, 1920.

10. HENRY SMITH

36 years 2 months 10 days

Hearts goalkeeper faced Canada in a 3-1 win in 1992.