Davie Weir talking about Danny Wilson - Herald interview

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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.

 

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.

 

ââ?¬Å?I think Danny has done very well,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?We donââ?¬â?¢t want to expect too much from him but he has come in and done so well. That speaks volumes for him and shows heââ?¬â?¢s capable of doing it. Itââ?¬â?¢s just a matter of him keeping it going and taking the opportunities when they come along. Heââ?¬â?¢s done that and handled it really well.

 

ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s not the type of lad that gets carried away or starts to think he has achieved more than heââ?¬â?¢s achieved. He has kept his feet on the ground, he listens and, hopefully, he will go from strength to strength.

 

ââ?¬Å?Is Danny ready for Europe? Of course he is. He has got to be because that is the level we are at. Weââ?¬â?¢ve got to use the players here and, based on what Iââ?¬â?¢ve seen so far from Danny, he is capable of handling it.

 

ââ?¬Å?John Fleck, Jordan McMillan and Andy Little are all capable, too. Obviously, there will be times when they make mistakes and things donââ?¬â?¢t go quite so well. But that can happen if you are 37 or 17.ââ?¬Â

 

Weir acknowledged there is a gulf between youth and first-team football and felt that self-confidence was as vital an attribute as ability.

 

ââ?¬Å?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.

 

ââ?¬Å?When they come in, they have got to believe they are ready for it. Otherwise they will struggle. I think thatââ?¬â?¢s the biggest part of it: being confident enough to know you can do it.

 

ââ?¬Å?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. Thatââ?¬â?¢s a positive for Rangers and itââ?¬â?¢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.ââ?¬Â

 

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