WALTER: DAVIE'S ONE OF HALL TIME BEST

WHEN Davie Weir enters the Scotland Hall of Fame on Wednesday night against Lithuania when he wins his 50th cap no-one will be happier than Walter Smith.

national boss is a huge admirer of the Scotland skipper he took to Everton for a bargain £120,000 seven seasons ago. Smith, who had already tried to sign Weir (left) for Rangers, smiled: "I've followed Davie's career and wanted to take him to Ibrox.

"He was with Falkirk and we were told by their chairman George Fulston £300,000 would get him. But when we got round the table face-to-face he asked for £750,000 so the deal was called off.

"I eventually worked with Davie when I took him to Everton from Hearts for £120,000. Jim Jefferies wasn't too happy about the fee but Davie's contract was running down so there was no need to pay too much.

"He has been a good pro and a real nice lad. I've worked with many good professionals as a manager and he has to be right up there with the best. I'm delighted he stands on the threshold of this great landmark and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

"Davie could have been on 50 caps a long time ago if he hadn't decided to retire from inter-national football when Berti Vogts was in charge. He would have been close to 70 now."

When Scotland last played in Lithuania, Vogts was in charge and on the end of an embarrassing 1-0 defeat.

Smith, who knows a similar scoreline won't be acceptable if his team is to have any chance of qualifying for the Euro 2008 Finals in Austria and Switzerland, said: "It will be a difficult game, definitely not the easiest of rides.

"The good thing is our away form has not been too bad and we hope to keep it going. I was pleased with the way we played and the results we got in Norway, Slovenia and Japan.

"Now we have to keep that going. We need to deliver in this one.

"If we are to keep improving away from home this is our chance to show we are consolidating. "We are difficult to beat away but need to show more in attack to win this game.

"They have good players and have played a part in the revival of Hearts. It gives an indication of the standard we'll face.

"Alex Smith has watched them and said they are a useful side. Previous results indicate it won't be easy but we have go there with confidence and belief to set us up for next month at home to France then away to Ukraine.

"It's vital we are in touch with the group and this game will give us an indication of how we're going to do.

"It would be good to win over there, get the points on the board and build for the double header in October."

Taken from the Sunday Mail