David Weir

David Weir is a Scottish former professional footballer, born on May 10, 1970, in Falkirk, Scotland. He is widely acclaimed as one of the finest defenders of his generation. Weir kick-started his professional career with Falkirk before moving to Heart of Midlothian in 1996, where he won the Scottish Cup.

Weir is known for his exceptional defending skills, leadership qualities, and the longevity of his career. He has received numerous individual accolades, including four Scottish Premier League titles, and holds records, such as the oldest outfield player to play in the UEFA Champions League.

Off the field, Weir is also recognized for his coaching and management roles, notably at Glasgow Rangers where he began his coaching career.

Falkirk

• Youth and Early Career: Weir was born and brought up in Falkirk and joined Falkirk's youth academy. He made his first-team debut for Falkirk in 1992.

Heart of Midlothian

• Emergence as a Top Defender: Weir signed with Heart of Midlothian in 1996. He developed into one of Scotland's most reliable defenders, winning the Scottish Cup in 1998.

Everton

• Move to the Premier League: In 1999, Weir transferred to Everton where he spent the majority of his playing career. He was a stalwart in the Everton defense for nearly a decade. 

Rangers

• Return to Scotland: Weir joined Rangers in 2007, where he won three consecutive Scottish Premier League titles and reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2008.

International Career

• Scotland National Team: Weir earned 69 caps for Scotland, representing his country in various international competitions, including the UEFA European Championship qualifiers.

Scotland National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for Scotland in 1997.

Achievements:

• UEFA European Championship: Participated in the qualifiers.
• Weir is one of Scotland's most capped players.

• Position: Primarily a central defender, known for his leadership and consistency.
• Skills: Known for his excellent tackling, reading of the game, and aerial ability. Weir is celebrated for his longevity, having played at the top level into his 40s.

• Family: Weir is married with two children.
• Post-playing career: After retiring, Weir moved into coaching and management roles, notably serving as Assistant Manager at Glasgow Rangers and later as a coach for the Scottish national team.

David Weir is celebrated not only for his exceptional talent and numerous records but also for his longevity in professional football. His impact on the sport and his status as a respected figure extend beyond the pitch, inspiring aspiring footballers across Scotland and beyond.

Scottish Premier League Titles:

• Four titles with Glasgow Rangers

Scottish Cup:

• Winner with Heart of Midlothian

UEFA Cup:

• Finalist with Glasgow Rangers

Oldest Outfield Player in UEFA Champions League:

• Aged 40 years and 211 days

Books

• Weir, D. (2014) Extra Time: My Autobiography. London: Birlinn Ltd.

Websites

• Scottish FA: Information about David Weir’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk
• Everton FC: Details about Weir’s career at Everton. Available at: https://www.evertonfc.com
• Rangers FC: Official site with updates on Weir’s performance and records at Rangers. Available at: https://www.rangers.co.uk
• UEFA: Updates and records of Weir in UEFA competitions. Available at: https://www.uefa.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: David Weir: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16368679
• The Guardian: David Weir’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/david-weir

Interviews and Documentaries

• David Weir: My Story (2014): This documentary provides a detailed look at Weir’s life and career, featuring interviews with family, friends, and colleagues.