WEIR: SURVIVING GROUP OF DEATH WOULD BE HIGHLIGHT

DAVID WEIR yesterday insisted it would be the greatest achievement of his International career if Scotland were to qualify from the group from hell and reach the European Championship.

So it's a good job that when the captain looks around the dressing room right now he can see a better squad than the one which took us to our last major tournament in France 98.

The 36-year-old is one of only two players who arrived in Kaunas yesterday with any experience of a major tournament, Christian Dailly being the other, so he's seen some amount of good, bad and indifferent.

The Everton skipper has played alongside some top-class team-mates in his time but he insisted this rejuvenated Scotland squad is as good, if not better, than those who faced Brazil on that glorious day in Paris eight years ago.

Under Walter Smith the nation has cautiously once again began to feel more confident of reliving those days.

But for that to happen, they must get out of a group which includesWorld Cup winners Italy, World Cup finalists France, a Ukraine side complete with Andriy Shevchenko plus Georgia and Lithuania.

That is why Weir was adamant that should he get the chance to play two years from now, it would be the greatest moment of his career.

He thinks the players are good enough to do just that and said: "If we qualified from this group, the achievement would be right up there with anything I've done with Scotland. It would probably be the best ever.

"France and Italy were the two World Cup finalists and you can't really do much better than that. Then there is Ukraine, who made the quarter-finals, and also Georgia and Lithuania who are no push-overs.

"To get back to a major tournament would be nice. If we qualified for this European Championship, that would make it 10 years since our last tournament - it's a long time to wait.

"Some of us realise what we are missing from not having been in one since France. The other guys who weren't there don't ask us about it but they know what it was all about.

"And if you want to compare this squad to the one in 1998, I would say this one is more balanced.

"We have had some great players over the years but if you look at the squad now, when somebody drops out there is a replacement who can fit straight in."

And it was clear to see that Weir only believes there is any chance of something happening on the pitch because Walter Smith is now the manager and not you know who.

Smith and Weir go back a long way. The defender was still at Falkirk when Smith was unsuccessful in his bid to sign him for Rangers.

He did get him eventually when Weir moved from Hearts to Everton almost eight years ago.

Weir said: "Walter has been brilliant for me. He gave me a chance to play in the Premiership with Everton and that was a big break for me and something I've got to thank him for.

"He brought me back to the Scotland fold as well. They were the big moments in my career and I have Walter to thank for that.

"Apparently he tried to buy me at Falkirk. He's told me that a few times but it wasn't to be. That would have been nice."

It would also be nice if Scotland were to beat Lithuania tonight. In previous times, a draw in this fixture would be viewed as a decent result.

But when you look at the group we are in then these are matches that need to be won.

Weir said: "You always look to win the games, there's no doubt about that.

"But we have to be sensible. Lithuania are at home and have come off a good result in Italy. It's a home match for them and they will be looking for three points.

"We must keep things tight at the start and if there is the opportunity to win then that would be a bonus."

But whatever happens, Weir at 36 is just happy to be out there. The former American college student who returned home to play for Falkirk has come a long way.

Weir said: "I know I've been lucky with the way things worked out in my career. I have enjoyed it and hopefully there are still a few memories to come."

Anice memory tonight in Kaunas would be more than welcome.

Taken from the Daily Record