Boab 73 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Graeme Macpherson Published on 3 Nov 2009 FOR all he has build up a reputation for preferring experience veterans over youthful aspirants, Walter Smith has got some previous when it comes to pitching young players in to vital Champions League matches. During his first spell in charge at Ibrox, Smith handed European debuts to 19-year-old Scott Wilson and 20-year-old Greg Shields in a home match against Ajax. In truth, it was a move prompted by necessity rather than choice, but the pair played well enough to justify their inclusion. Now Smith faces a similar decision regarding Danny Wilson. Until recently, Wilson had become like Rangers’ answer to The Wizard of Oz: always spoken about but never seen. Injuries to Madjid Bougherra and Lee McCulloch, and the need to give David Weir a rest, handed the 17-year-old his first-team debut in last week’s Co-operative Insurance Cup tie against Dundee, doing well enough to retain his place for the league match at Dundee United the following Sunday. Now he stands on the cusp of making his Champions League debut against Unirea Urziceni this evening, a month before his 18th birthday and in a unique central defensive partnership with Weir, a player 22 years his senior. Is Danny ready for Europe? Of course he is. He has got to be because that is the level we are at David Weir Weir has been warmed by Wilson’s quick assimilation to the senior game and believes the younger man has the temperament and ability to cope with the step up from youth football. “I think Danny has done very well,” he said. “We don’t want to expect too much from him but he has come in and done so well. That speaks volumes for him and shows he’s capable of doing it. It’s just a matter of him keeping it going and taking the opportunities when they come along. He’s done that and handled it really well. “He’s not the type of lad that gets carried away or starts to think he has achieved more than he’s achieved. He has kept his feet on the ground, he listens and, hopefully, he will go from strength to strength. “Is Danny ready for Europe? Of course he is. He has got to be because that is the level we are at. We’ve got to use the players here and, based on what I’ve seen so far from Danny, he is capable of handling it. “John Fleck, Jordan McMillan and Andy Little are all capable, too. Obviously, there will be times when they make mistakes and things don’t go quite so well. But that can happen if you are 37 or 17.” Weir acknowledged there is a gulf between youth and first-team football and felt that self-confidence was as vital an attribute as ability. “It is a big step up, but these lads have come through the Under-19s and reserves and got used to playing. Obviously, the first team is a different level but they are well prepared for it. “When they come in, they have got to believe they are ready for it. Otherwise they will struggle. I think that’s the biggest part of it: being confident enough to know you can do it. “There is no secret: with the way things are here, and with the squad being so small, there are going to be opportunities for these boys. That’s a positive for Rangers and it’s a great chance for these boys to come and make their mark. That would give us something to be proud about and positive about.” Brilliant Interview! http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/ra...ksEnabled=false Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootSpeedKillLight 0 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Weir talking sense as always. Glad to see him being complimentary and gracious towards someone who may end up replacing him! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Glad to see him being complimentary and gracious towards someone who may end up replacing him! We wouldn't expect anything less though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Stars Bearette 1 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Glad to see him being complimentary and gracious towards someone who may end up replacing him! We wouldn't expect anything less though. very true Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeacare 9 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Glad to see him being complimentary and gracious towards someone who may end up replacing him! We wouldn't expect anything less though. Model pro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastEnclosureBear 2,970 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 We all dream of a team of Davie Weir's, a team of Davie Weir's Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adoniram 1,919 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 My only concern with bringing lads like Wilson through just now is the lack of competetive matches they are playing now since they scrapped the reserve league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Im sure Davie Weir will enter our Hall of Fame great guy and a great servant to this great club the seasons hes been here. Is Wilson playing defo the moro? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet I know I know but is McCulloch ruled out yet? Please say yes Boab Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeacare 9 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet Boab will quote them on here the second they are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet Boab will quote them on here the second they are. Probably won't tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet I know I know but is McCulloch ruled out yet? Please say yes Boab No. He is fit. Keep up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeacare 9 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is Wilson playing defo the moro? The team-lines haven't been handed in yet Boab will quote them on here the second they are. Probably won't tbh. We will see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 McCulloch is fit :anguish: :anguish: :anguish: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietspam 733 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 SNS have pics of Hard-on Lee with a big cheeser at the Air Port. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaguy51 912 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Ahhh Glad be Davie agrees with most of us! His interviews are so refreshing to read when compared to rent-a-gub's efforts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw69uk 123 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Weir talking sense as always. Glad to see him being complimentary and gracious towards someone who may end up replacing him! ? Surely that will be will Most telling one for me, goes against what people say a lot of the time. "Is he ready? of course he is" Quality Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaguy51 912 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 My mate wrote a great piece about him in yesterday's Herald as well actually, but I can't find it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw69uk 123 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 My only concern with bringing lads like Wilson through just now is the lack of competetive matches they are playing now since they scrapped the reserve league. I wouldnt worry, reserve games, or games at lower league clubs dont really prepare you for playing for a big club like Rangers, same goes for managers. The only way you experience it, is by doing it. In as much, Smith having these lads in and around the first team, and, training with the first team is probably ideal. They can soak up the knowledge, the atmosphere, the pressure, play bounce games with actual first team players, and, as such, learn more than if they were playing against Alloa on a tuesday night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu1993 101 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Great article, its nice to see how the older experienced players think of the younger players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delparlane 5,752 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Big Davie, top class as always. Well spoken, sir! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I found it amusing the other day when i realised the CB pairing of Wilson and Weir has an average age of 28 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
finzster 0 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I found it amusing the other day when i realised the CB pairing of Wilson and Weir has an average age of 28 Motherwell's centre half pairing against Hearts on Saturday had a combined age of 35 (Saunders 17 & Hutchison 18) - younger than Davie! They won 1-0 as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 I found it amusing the other day when i realised the CB pairing of Wilson and Weir has an average age of 28 Motherwell's centre half pairing against Hearts on Saturday had a combined age of 35 (Saunders 17 & Hutchison 18) - younger than Davie! They won 1-0 as well! Craigan's not getting much of a look in these days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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