DAVID Weir has told Walter Smith he is available any time to open talks over his future at Rangers. At 39, the defender has already defied the odds to continue playing at the highest level and help Rangers claim a domestic double.
And, having had a taste of success this term, he is keen to extend his stay in Govan further. But Weir insists there will be no hard feelings if the Rangers boss decides his time at the club is over.
"Whenever he wants to speak to me, I'm availabl
e," said Weir, who inherited the captain's armband from Barry Ferguson in the latter stages of the campaign. "There's not going to be a problem whatever way it works out. I've got 100 per cent respect for him, so whatever he thinks will be the way forward.
"I've always said how much I've enjoyed playing at Rangers and, if the manager wants me to stay, I'd be delighted to stay."
Weir's importance to the cause is summed up by the fact that he made more appearances than any other Rangers player during the season.
Asked whether that is likely to play a part in Smith's decision to offer him another year, Weir added: "You better ask the manager that."
Smith has already stated his own intention to remain at Rangers despite being tipped in some quarters to quit at the top and hand over to Ally McCoist this summer.
"I'm delighted," said Weir. "I would be very surprised if it wasn't the case after what he has done for the club in the last couple of years.
"He has turned the club around and got us back winning trophies and winning leagues and qualifying for the Champions League.
"I think if he wasn't here, we would be in trouble."
The full article contains 306 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.