Burley fails to play it straight as veteran Weir is left in limbo

FOR someone whose career has been so smoothly negotiated David Weir's relationship with the Scotland team has proved an at times awkward one. Although his tally of 61 caps points to a player who has excelled on the international stage there is the matter of a self-imposed exile during Berti Vogts' unlamented reign. Now we observe another hitch.

Despite having just enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career the 38-year-old defender was absent from the first two squads named by George Burley. It remains to be seen whether he will gain the cap which will lift him up to eighth in the Scotland international roll of honour, and separate him from his fellow collectors of 61 caps – Ally McCoist and Richard Gough.

The noises which emanated both before and after Scotland's last two fixtures do not give cause for optimism, and neither do they reflect well on a manager who has otherwise performed admirably since succeeding Alex McLeish at the start of this year. Burley is understandably keen to make his own mark on the Scotland team. But there is a difference between exerting an influence and creating an unnecessary rift. In his treatment of Weir there is a danger this might occur.

The player – presently a free-agent after his contract with Rangers expired on Saturday – has presumably been left disenchanted by the signals emitted from the Burley camp in recent weeks and months. Originally left out due to Burley's concerns that he might be leg-weary during what was a taxing campaign with Rangers – "I think he could do with a break" – Weir has now learned that this exclusion, described by Burley as being for his benefit, has cost him the chance to establish himself in the new manager's plans. At the weekend, following the 3-1 defeat against the Czech Republic, Burley all but confirmed that Gary Caldwell would partner Stephen McManus in his first-choice centre-back pairing when the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off.

"That's my second game in charge and Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell have formed a good international partnership as well as club (one]," Burley told reporters in Prague. It was, he added, up to others to take the positions off them, a comment which might have set alarm bells off inside a certain veteran's head had they not already had reason to ring.

Burley's assistant, Terry Butcher, more or less gave the game away when he said: "I wouldn't rule Davie Weir out of playing in the World Cup but it might be a bit of a tall order."

Weir recently admitted that he had not anticipated his omission from Burley's first squad against Croatia, although the player's heavy itinerary – Rangers were on their way to the Uefa Cup final and also remained involved in the Scottish Cup – provided a perfectly credible explanation. However, his exclusion from the squad for last Friday's friendly match against the Czechs was more portentous.

Weir has been around long enough to know that managers prefer some players to others. There does not even need to be an especially compelling reason for this favouritism. They may simply wish to freshen a group of players up. With the introduction of any new regime there are likely to be casualties, although, if there is blood-letting to be done, it need not be a messy process. Burley has threatened to make it one due to an apparent failure to play it straight with Weir, who has not signalled any intention that he wishes to step away from the international set-up.

Indeed, the opposite message has been delivered by his performances in the past season. Having played 65 matches during the last campaign there is no doubt he is physically up for the challenge of contributing to Scotland's bid to qualify for the next World Cup. "As soon as the season is finished I will think about getting myself ready for next season," he told The Scotsman in May. " I am not just saying that to make people think how dedicated I am."



Now Weir has been left to figure out for himself why he has been jettisoned from Burley's plans. The manager called him prior to the naming of his first squad and contacted him the day after the second was announced. On both occasions Weir was assured that he remained in his thoughts. Burley has claimed this in public as well, although a caveat – "but we have to keep looking to the future" – tends to follow.

Six months ago Weir was good enough to marshal the Scotland defence against the current world champions, Italy. He has twice faced France in recent times and finished on the winning side. He featured in every Euro 2008 qualifier – including against Georgia, when other Old Firm players were posted missing.

Last month Weir appeared in a Uefa Cup final and, less than a fortnight ago, he claimed a Scottish Cup winner's medal. Weir is not one to orchestrate a grand farewell. He was almost offended when it was put to him that the conclusion to last season had provided him with suitable circumstances in which to call it a day. He said he did not possess a big enough ego to feel he merited going out at the top. He does, however, have sufficient pride to wish to be treated with respect.