David Weir: Extra Time – My Autobiography

David Weir’s career is a tale of triumph on the pitch but also of victory over the assumption all top-level footballers are finished in their mid-30s. Weir, who turned 42 in May 2012, is the oldest outfield player to represent Rangers since 1945, passing the mark set by their famous full-back, Jock ‘Tiger’ Shaw.

In this revealing autobiography, Weir gives an insight into the high of playing in the 1998 World Cup finals for his country to the low of the chaotic 2-2 draw in the Faroes four years later which led to his decision to stop playing for Scotland. For the first time, he gives his side of the story.

Many felt Weir’s international career was over for good and that his club career was approaching its conclusion, too. It seemed that David Moyes, his manager at Everton, was on the lookout for younger defenders. Like thousands of footballers before him, Weir could just have accepted his time was up. Instead, he moved to Rangers in January 2007, making his debut for his childhood favourites at a mere 36 years and 236 days and has helped them to eight trophies since and a European final in 2008. Weir’s is a story of battling against the odds to keep playing at the top level and proving he could, despite the doubts of others and indeed himself.