Loss of top players fails to worry Weir

RANGERS defender David Weir played down the effect the loss of both skipper Barry Ferguson and Carlos Cuellar had on the dismal goalless draw against FBK Kaunas at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Despite creating and missing a couple of good chances to make the second leg of their Champions League second qualifier in Lithuania next Tuesday a formality, Walter Smith's side were far from fluent.

They looked out of sorts in midfield without the promptings of Ferguson, who is out for four months following an ankle operation, and the defence lacked the steadying influence of Cuellar, missing with a calf problem.

But veteran Scotland stopper Weir preferred to concentrate on those who did play on Wednesday night, particularly Kirk Broadfoot, who took over from Cuellar as his partner in the centre of the defence.

He said: "You want the best players playing and there is no doubt that Carlos is one of those. But I think you have to give Kirk Broadfoot credit, he came in and did really well, staked his claim and that's the way it should be.

"Barry is our captain and probably our best player so we are going to miss him."