Weir won't call time on Scotland career as new Ibrox deal nears completion

The 38-year-old central defender is expected to conclude talks on a new one-year deal with the club hierarchy over the next few days. 

Back in blue: Ibrox star Weir is set for another campaign at the core of Walter Smith's defence

Weir enjoyed a hugely successful campaign last season, defying his years to play in a remarkable 68 games for club and country as he helped Rangers reach the UEFA Cup Final and Alex McLeish's Scotland beat France in Paris during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

And although he is now casting an eye towards coaching, his decision to keep playing at the highest level possible also includes Scotland. 

Weir's wife and family are based in England's north west and a diplomatic withdrawal from international duty would have enabled him to commit to more family time during Scotland weeks.

But Weir said yesterday: 'I'm carrying on with Scotland for the time being - or putting myself up for selection, put it that way. Basically, until someone says to me otherwise, I will be happy to play international football.

'I have enjoyed that aspect of my career over the past few years and I still maintain that playing is the best part of football. I will play on for as long as I can and there was never any prospect of me stepping away from the game during the summer.

'Walter Smith asked me after the Scottish Cup Final to come back and play again in the new season.

'I was delighted to be asked to carry on at Ibrox and I am coming back to Scotland today with a view to signing again for Rangers. yet completed the paperwork so I cannot say too much - we all know what football can be like. But, all being well, I'll be in a Rangers shirt again next season.'

Weir's commitment to Scotland is admirable, after he previously quit international football during the ill-fated Berti Vogts era.

He has 61 caps but is yet to play for George Burley after he was excused duty for the Croatia and Czech Republic friendlies.

Celtic pair Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell nailed down the central defensive places for Burley in his absence and would be odds-on at the moment to start the World Cup campaign against Macedonia and Iceland in September.

Weir took his first steps on the SFA's coaching courses after the Cup Final in May but he insisted that will remain on the backburner in the forthcoming season.

'That was just the very start for me, a toe on the ladder if you like, and I am a long way away from an 'A' licence or anything like that,' he added.

'I have wanted to take the courses for some time because I'm interested in that side of it but, in the past, I was occupied with Scotland commitments at the end of the season and so on.

'So I have started it now but the coaching side is for the future. The main focus in the new season will definitely be on playing games.'

Smith gave Weir and Christian Dailly extra time off this summer, but chief executive Martin Bain will now be asked to conclude one-year deals for the pair.

Kenny Miller, meantime, has eased into pre-season training this week at Murray Park and claims his move back to Glasgow has been comfortable.

'It has been so easy to come back,' said Miller. 'Obviously when you move to a new club and you don't know anybody then it's a different ball game. There is a settling-in period but it has not been like that here.

'I know the majority of the lads, from playing against them and playing with them for the national team. And there are still some people here from my first time around. I know all the coaches and the management, so it has been easy to come straight in.'

Coincidentally, Miller could make his Rangers debut against FBK Kaunas for the second time if the Lithuanian club get past Andorra's Santa Coloma in their first Champions League qualifier.

Miller came on as a substitute against Kaunas in a Champions League qualifier in 2000, a 4-1 home win helping ease the Light Blues in to the next round.

'I know we got through comfortably in the end against Kaunas, so I hope it will be the same result again,' he said. 'I can't remember the length of time I played in that game but obviously this time around it's one to look forward to.

'I was fortunate enough to sample a few Champions League nights when I was here the first time around. They were special nights and I got a goal in the Monaco game.'