Keeping Weir?
It has been a pretty quiet period down Ibrox way over the past few days, but there are nevertheless a few nuggets to digest.
There was a crucial match against Aberdeen in Govan on Saturday – the Dons were four points behind Rangers in 3rd place leading up to the game, and an away victory would have piled some unwanted pressure on the ‘Gers with only a one point gap between the two. With the end of the season beginning to approach, and a Champions League spot to secure, Rangers did not want to slip up against their closest rivals for the runners’ up spot.
Prior to this game was the visitors’ Michael Hart who produced some ill-advised criticism of the home team. His suggestion that Aberdeen had better players and that he would choose 41-year old Craig Brewster over Rangers’ Kris Boyd did not sit well with the home dressing room. Even Hart’s own manager Jimmy Calderwood was unhappy with his player’s comments, and he distinctly played them down prior to kick off.
Team news was a start for Prso, and the Serbian defender Papac would come in for the apparently injured Ehiogu. Boyd also found himself restored to the first 11, and that would turn out to be the right decision, as would Smith’s choice to revert back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation.
From the off, the first half was completely one way traffic, with the home side controlling this game to almost comical degrees. It was reflected in the goals too, three of them, all attributed to Boyd within the first 30 minutes. Thereafter, the damage done, Rangers pretty much played out time, before really enjoying themselves in the last few minutes by having fun via ‘keep ball’ to cheers from the crowd. In truth it was a dismal display from the Dons, but this takes nothing away from the intent in Rangers’ play to crush the visitors.
Seven points is now the gap, and that CL spot is Rangers’ to lose.
The one other story of significance recently has been the speculation about Weir’s future. A universally praised player, after initial dubiety over his signing, Weir has been a rock in defence since his arrival, using all his experience to manage the defence, and the lack of goals conceded since he joined tells its own story.
Unfortunately his personal situation is not ideal. His young family remain in England, and his deal at Ibrox is only till the end of the season. With his family being settled down south, Weir has to make a decision about what he wants to do – obviously the club wishes to keep him, but he has to consider his nearest and dearest, and presumably they would not want to have to put up with him being away from home for such significant spells over the next year.
It is a tricky situation, and from a football point of view all Rangers faithful want him to stay, as does the club. But family is the most important thing, and Weir finds himself in a dilemma.
Hopefully it can be resolved to the satisfaction of all.
There was a crucial match against Aberdeen in Govan on Saturday – the Dons were four points behind Rangers in 3rd place leading up to the game, and an away victory would have piled some unwanted pressure on the ‘Gers with only a one point gap between the two. With the end of the season beginning to approach, and a Champions League spot to secure, Rangers did not want to slip up against their closest rivals for the runners’ up spot.
Prior to this game was the visitors’ Michael Hart who produced some ill-advised criticism of the home team. His suggestion that Aberdeen had better players and that he would choose 41-year old Craig Brewster over Rangers’ Kris Boyd did not sit well with the home dressing room. Even Hart’s own manager Jimmy Calderwood was unhappy with his player’s comments, and he distinctly played them down prior to kick off.
Team news was a start for Prso, and the Serbian defender Papac would come in for the apparently injured Ehiogu. Boyd also found himself restored to the first 11, and that would turn out to be the right decision, as would Smith’s choice to revert back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation.
From the off, the first half was completely one way traffic, with the home side controlling this game to almost comical degrees. It was reflected in the goals too, three of them, all attributed to Boyd within the first 30 minutes. Thereafter, the damage done, Rangers pretty much played out time, before really enjoying themselves in the last few minutes by having fun via ‘keep ball’ to cheers from the crowd. In truth it was a dismal display from the Dons, but this takes nothing away from the intent in Rangers’ play to crush the visitors.
Seven points is now the gap, and that CL spot is Rangers’ to lose.
The one other story of significance recently has been the speculation about Weir’s future. A universally praised player, after initial dubiety over his signing, Weir has been a rock in defence since his arrival, using all his experience to manage the defence, and the lack of goals conceded since he joined tells its own story.
Unfortunately his personal situation is not ideal. His young family remain in England, and his deal at Ibrox is only till the end of the season. With his family being settled down south, Weir has to make a decision about what he wants to do – obviously the club wishes to keep him, but he has to consider his nearest and dearest, and presumably they would not want to have to put up with him being away from home for such significant spells over the next year.
It is a tricky situation, and from a football point of view all Rangers faithful want him to stay, as does the club. But family is the most important thing, and Weir finds himself in a dilemma.
Hopefully it can be resolved to the satisfaction of all.
posted by RangersMedia @ 1:58 PM
