The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Weir sees big challenge and chance for Rangers
Semi-final ‘underdogs’ have opportunity to put down a marker, says former defender
David Weir believes it will be “really difficult” for his former club Rangers to close the gap on Celtic while Brendan Rodgers is boss at Parkhead.
The 47-year-old ex-Rangers defender was the assistant to manager Mark Warburton two years ago when, as Championship winners, the Light Blues beat their old rivals in a penalty shootout in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
Weir said: “Celtic’s managerial appointment was really good. There was obviously a lot of thought and planning went into it. They picked the right man at the right time and he has shown their faith was right.”
Weir believes Rangers carry a “similar” underdog tag into Sunday’s meeting to they one they overcame two years ago.
He said: “It has been a long time not to have won an Old Firm game. Celtic have obviously improved from that day, no doubt about that.
“Celtic had probably the better chances in the game but we took our chances and we got a bit of luck.
“So it is a massive challenge but also a good opportunity for Rangers to put a marker down.
“I think Rangers have a chance, definitely. The past couple of Old Firm games have been tight.
“Celtic have managed to come out on the right end of it. Rangers have had opportunities in the game but unfortunately haven’t managed to do it.”
Speculation surrounds the future of the Ibrox incumbent Graeme Murty, but Weir reckons a semi-final win would go a long way to helping him secure the manager’s job on a longer-term basis.
“Graeme has done really well,” Weir said of the 43-year-old, who was handed the reins in October on a caretaker basis following the sacking of Pedro Caixinha and in December appointed until the end of the campaign in December.
“We brought him in as an under-20s coach from under-18 football at Norwich so the jump has been really quick and far in a short period of time.
“He has coped with that really well. He has been put in a difficult situation and he has handled it well.
“Rangers are competitive, they are fighting for second place (in the Ladbrokes Premiership) so that will be a success this season and they are in the semi-final of the cup.”