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 41 in May 2011, 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. How he felt Berti Vogts, Scotland’s boss, used him as a scapegoat.

Many felt Weir’s international career would end on that sour note and that his club career was approaching its conclusion, too. He was 32 and David Moyes, his manager at Everton, made no secret he was on the lookout for new, younger defenders. Like thousands of footballers before him, Weir could just have accepted his time was up. He had a young family and a father who was suffering from Alzheimer’s to help care for and self-doubt gnawed at him. Could he cut it any more?

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.