David Weir wants to remain at Rangers, but only if Smith is staying put

DAVID Weir has declared himself ready to play on for Rangers next season but will only do so if Walter Smith remains as manager of the club.

• Rangers captain David Weir helped a group of youngsters at Toryglen promote the National Disability Football Festival. Picture: SNS

The veteran defender, who was crowned Scotland's Player of the Year in a remarkable season which saw him play every minute of every game in Rangers' SPL title triumph, believes his own future at Ibrox is inextricably linked with that of his mentor Smith.

Now 40, Weir has reached the conclusion he remains physically and mentally fit enough to extend his playing career for one more year with the Scottish champions. With uncertainty continuing to surround Smith's position, however, Weir made it clear yesterday that he does not envisage staying with Rangers under a new management team.

"It's fair to say whether I stay depends on whether the manager stays," said Weir. "That's no disrespect to whatever happens after that. But the manager brought me here and my loyalties lie with the manager and the level of success he has had. That's got to influence my decision, there's no doubt about that.

"My situation will take care of itself. The manager's position is the first thing for me. That's going to play a part in me hopefully having a decision to make. Until that takes it course, there isn't really a decision to be made.

"I do feel I have something left in the tank. I enjoyed every minute of last season. I felt good and I felt like I contributed. I don't feel that has diminished. Whether that remains the case, time will tell. I feel I'm capable of playing, but it's not just me who has to make that decision. You need to have a manager who backs you up on that as well."

Weir, speaking at one of the SFA's Uefa Grassroots Day events at Toryglen Regional Football Centre in Glasgow, would have been excused for exploring other options this summer. Since he joined Rangers in January 2007, initially on a six-month contract, his wife and children have remained at the family's Cheshire home.

But while the regular commute to Glasgow is not something Weir enjoys, he has so far resisted the temptation to seek footballing employment closer to home.

"It does appeal to me, but it doesn't appeal to me as much as playing for Rangers," he added. "I've enjoyed it so much and it has been relatively successful as well. It has definitely suited me, even though there have been factors such as having to travel. It has ticked so many boxes.

"I'm genuinely not interested in talking to other clubs at the moment. My loyalties are to Rangers and the manager. They have been good to me and I wouldn't try to manufacture another situation until I know what is happening here. That's my priority at the moment. I will give it as long as it takes.

"I feel I can play for another year, but I won't do it unless it is something that excites me or something where I felt I had a chance of being successful. I wouldn't just play to earn a wage. I'd probably try and do something else football wise. I wouldn't say I'll definitely play on next season no matter what. I can't rule anything in or out. But if the right thing comes up, my first choice is definitely to play on."

Weir is content to show patience as the current takeover saga at Rangers delays any decisions on the future of the management team and the club's out of contract players. He does have considerable sympathy, however, for his younger team-mates who still do not know whether they will be at Rangers next season.

"It has got to be frustrating for lads like Kris Boyd, Kirk Broadfoot and Nacho Novo who are in the prime of their careers," said Weir.

"They are the ones who maybe deserve to be looked after a wee bit better. In respect of what they have done, that's a wee bit disappointing.

"My situation is different. I'm older, I've been there before and done it. It doesn't bother me. It is not frustrating for me individually. I've had this for five or six years now, I don't think I've signed a contract before June or July. So it's not really an issue for me. But I think it is very difficult for them and it's not really of their doing".

Weir has made it clear he intends to go into management when he does finally hang up his boots but he does not anticipate the offer of a coaching position at Rangers.

"That's not been discussed at all," he added. "Rangers have more than enough good coaches. I don't think that's a possibility."