BIG DAVIE CAN GO FROM SCOTS WALK OUT SHAME TO HALL OF FAME

DAVID WEIR will walk out in Kobe's Wing Stadium on May 11 the proudest Scot in the world - three and a half years after walking out on his country.

The 35-year-old turned his back on his cap career after Berti Vogts' side's humiliating 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands in the Euro 2004 qualifiers.

But Weir will seal his return to the fold under Walter Smith in style in the Kirin Cup when he's handed the captain's armband for the first time in his career for the clashes with Bulgaria and Japan.

And the two caps he'll earn in the Far East - his 47th and 48th - will leave him just two short of the Hall of Fame, a million miles from the hall of shame many had him in during September 2002.

The stinging criticism Weir and pal Christian Dailly took in the aftermath of the Faroes' nightmare was the final straw, pushing the mild-mannered stopper into a decision he hated making but felt he had to.

Now the Everton skipper, who will also celebrate his 36th birthday the day before he faces the Bulgarians, admits he's stunned but proud to be leading his nation.

He said: "Given what happened in 2002 I'd never have envisaged this day coming. It shows you how weird football can be sometimes.

"It's a massive honour, one I've never had, and a huge compliment that it comes from Walter when you consider the standard of player he has worked with."

Despite the common perception that Weir had simply thrown his toys out of the pram after criticism from Vogts, Smith has never believed that explanation.

And the Scotland gaffer - who signed him for Everton in 1999 -insists the former Falkirk and Hearts defender deserves the honour of leading his country out and has EARNED the right to join some legends in the 50-cap club.

Smith said: "Davie will captain the squad and as a manager I've always found him a great professional, a delight to work with.

"He's getting close to 50 caps now and I hope we can see him get to that level because it's a big achievement. He deserves it.

"I was surprised by what happened because anyone who knows him will tell you he's not the type of guy to make an impetuous or a huffy decision.

"I've never asked Davie and he's never broached the subject, it's to his credit because that's the type of lad he is.

"But it must have been something that affected him badly to make that decision because I knew he loved playing for Scotland.

"And that's why when I took the job, asking him to come back was one of the first things I did. I had no hesitation and Davie didn't take much persuading.

"But I don't put that down to me, I put it down to the fact he was keen to get back.

"Anyone who's been involved with him will know his professionalism in preparing for games, his training and also his manner, the way he handles himself around the place.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. For anyone 50 caps is a great honour and he won't want to stop.

"As long as he's playing and in the form he has shown for Scotland in recent games there's no reason why he won't be there for the qualifiers and beyond."

Weir backed up Smith's belief there was more to his retirement than met the eye.

And although he has always refused to divulge the depth of his feelings on the subject the big defender insisted: "I stand by the decision. It wasn't an easy one but I still think it was the right one.

"I didn't do it based on one game, I didn't go in the huff after the Faroes, it was just an accumulation of things.

"I wasn't doing myself or my team justice, I wasn't enjoying it and it wasn't easy. But I just felt I had to do what I did.

"My family stood by me as well and if I get the honour of pulling on the armband I know they'll be proud of me.

"I also know Walter will expect me to take responsibility but it's something you have to do at international level anyway.

"And the fact we have such a young squad adds to that.

"But what we lack in age we're already making up for in experience. A lot of the guys are really starting to stack up the caps and when you look at some of the results and performances we've had in the last year it shows most of them are learning what it takes to succeed and take the step up.

"Sometimes you have to learn the hard way - but we're getting there."

Now Weir has the chance to pass on more of the experience he has picked up in a 500-game career.

And despite the two clashes in Japan rounding off a 50-game season he insists he never even contemplated turning down the end-of-season trip.

Davie laughed: "At my age I'd rather keep playing, believe it or not. If we could keep going right through the summer I'd love it.

"I have to admit at this age it's a damn sight harder to get going again once you've stopped than it is to keep going."

Weir in the know:

How our sister paper broke the news that brassed-off Weir had had enough of the flak he took in the wake of the Faroes' disaster under Berti Vogts and had decided to call time on his cap career

Taken from the Sunday Mail