SATURDAY'S Scottish Cup final could have brought the curtain down on one of the most remarkable Rangers careers in recent decades. The 38-year-old central defender David Weir, who has been outstanding since joining the club from Everton, wants to keep on playing football, but for family reasons could opt to return south of the border.
Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, holds Weir in the highest esteem, and the player's form and fitness suggest he could continue to be an asset as a player for at least another season. But, as Smith contemplates a gradual remodelling of his side, he
is aware that Weir cannot be part of his long-term plans.
Having performed above themselves in reaching the Uefa Cup final this season, Rangers now need to build on that achievement. As runners-up to Celtic in the SPL, they will enter the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, but their primary objective in 2008-09 has to be the league title.
They are unlikely to face anything like the same fixtures overload that they had to contend with this year, and in that sense Smith's current squad should be capable of a consistently higher standard in their league matches. But several players could be on their way over the summer in addition to Weir, and with limited transfer funds the manager will have to decide which areas are the priorities for strengthening.
If Carlos Cuellar, Weir's partner in central defence, is lured to England, Smith will surely have to build from the back again, as he did when taking over from Paul Le Guen, before turning his attention to sharpening up his strike force.
Christian Dailly could fill in at centre-back in the short term, but the manager may have to move into the transfer market twice. Andy Webster looked like being a long-term option at centre-half when he arrived on loan from Wigan, but he has suffered a series of injuries and faces surgery over the summer. "Andy is going in for a double hernia operation," Smith explained at the weekend. "He's getting one side done and the surgeon thinks he might need the other side done."
Sasa Papac, the only really successful signing by Le Guen, is a dependable left-back, but on the other side Smith will look for competition, at the very least, for Kirk Broadfoot. The former St Mirren player has been a regular since Alan Hutton left for Tottenham Hotspur, but he lacks Hutton's ability to drive forward
Midfield will be the area which requires least tinkering. Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson will remain as the central partnership, with the latter's former Hibernian team-mate Steven Whittaker playing wide right. Whittaker has played more football in the back four, but Smith rightly saw that, as a player far more comfortable going forward than defending, he is more suited to wide midfield.
DaMarcus Beasley was a revelation on Saturday in his first game back after injury, giving Rangers some much-needed thrust – and scoring their second goal – before tiring and being replaced. He should also stay, but Thomas Buffel is on his way out, Brahim Hemdani could join him, and it is as yet unclear where Steven Davis' footballing future lies. The Northern Ireland international has been on loan from Fulham since the start of the year, and admitted he was unsure what he would be doing. "I haven't spoken to Fulham yet," he explained. "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here. It's been a great time, challenging for four trophies, but there's been a lot of disappointment as well."
Daniel Cousin, who was barred from moving to Craven Cottage in January, should finalise his transfer there over the coming months..
Kris Boyd appears more likely to stay than go, and Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo will also remain. The departure of Cousin, however, would still leave room for another striker. The obvious domestic target would be Steven Fletcher of Hibs.
One move which could cause Smith a real headache but would at least give him some cash to play with would be the transfer of Allan McGregor. The goalkeeper missed the climax to the season after being injured, but he was in outstanding form before then and would command a sizeable fee if he were to move. Neil Alexander is already in position as a ready-made replacement, and Smith could then have enough money to complete his remodelling.
The full article contains 754 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
