Better late than never for Weir
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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Rangers FC defender David Weir is looking forward to a first shot at the group stage at the age of 37 after helping the Scottish side knock out FK Crvena Zvezda.
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Rangers FC defender David Weir is looking forward to a first shot at the UEFA Champions League group stage at the age of 37 after a 0-0 draw at FK Crvena Zvezda wrapped up a 1-0 third qualifying round aggregate victory last night.
'Just glad'
It was a tough night for Rangers in Belgrade but another clean sheet took them through and Weir, who moved back to Scotland in January after eight years with Everton FC, cannot wait for tomorrow's draw. "It's not really sunk in yet, to be honest with you," Weir told uefa.com. "We were just aiming to get through the tie. Now we've done that we can enjoy it and look forward to the draw. We knew it was going to be a difficult game and we're just glad we scored that goal at Ibrox."
Self-belief
Weir suggested Rangers' self-belief saw them through. "I think it's a mental thing as well as a physical thing," he said. "We've got a good habit of winning games and not conceding too many goals and I think we stood together as a team. We worked hard for each other and came through as winners and that was a big test for us."
New chance
Having missed out at this stage with Everton three years ago, the achievement is particularly special for the Scottish international. "I'm really looking forward to it," Weir said. "It's the top level in football. Every player wants to play in the competition proper and I've not done that before. So, it's great for me but also great for Rangers. They should be in the UEFA Champions League year in, year out and hopefully this is the start of it."
Missed chances
Crvena Zvezda, meanwhile, have fallen at this stage for the fifth time since 2000/01 and the 1991 European champions have been left to rue the late goal they conceded in the first leg as they move on to the UEFA Cup first round. Coach Milorad Kosanović said: "The moment at the end of the first match was decisive. Tonight, we did not take our chances. So many crosses and passes but no goal. I am sad because our club and supporters deserve the UEFA Champions League. But our opponents were better overall, thanks to that one goal. Maybe we were the better side tonight but that will soon be forgotten."
