Moyes eyes future role for Weir

Manager David Moyes would welcome Rangers captain David Weir back to Everton in a coaching capacity.

The 40-year-old is out of contract at Ibrox in the summer but has hinted at playing on next season.

“I would love to have him back at Everton as part of my staff in the future, if he’s interested,” Moyes told BBC Radio Scotland.

“He’s a great professional and someone who all the players at Everton and Rangers should look up to.”

Weir, who played under Moyes at Goodison Park before his switch to Rangers in 2007, lifted the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Sunday.

And the veteran defender turned in an assured display throughout a gruelling 120 minutes as Rangers beat Celtic 2-1 after extra time.

“I thought last year he would probably call it a day,” said Moyes, who analysed the game for BBC One Scotland’s television coverage.

“He may only have 10 or 12 weeks to go as a player. But on that performance, he’s doing great and I think Davie will know best when the time comes.”

Moyes was also fulsome in his praise of Rangers manager Walter Smith, who he succeeded at Everton in 2002.

Smith, who will step down at the end of this campaign, has now delivered 20 trophies over his two spells with the Glasgow giants.

“He’s done a brilliant job with a team that hasn’t changed an awful lot in recent years due to a lack of money,” said Moyes.

“He has to work with what he has. I know better than most what that’s like.

“He’s brought in the odd player on loan, or for very little money.

“Just look at his trophy cabinet, that tells you how good he is.”

Moyes thoroughly enjoyed the game at Hampden and believes Rangers and Celtic should be widely respected for their achievements.

“It was a really good advert for Scottish football,” he added.

“Nobody should ever be down on the Old Firm. They are two of the biggest clubs in the world, they really are.

“If both of these clubs were playing in the Premiership and had the money we do, I’m sure they would both be up in the top six places.

“But they don’t and the level of players is maybe not at the same level as would be playing every week in the Premier League.”