Everton defender Alan Stubbs has described the departure of
David Weir to Rangers as a body blow for the club.
Scotland captain Weir has joined former boss Walter Smith at Ibrox,
having played 269 games for Everton over an eight-year spell, but
only six this season with his contract running out in the
summer.
Weir and Stubbs formed a hugely reliable central defensive pairing
and now Stubbs has expressed his sorrow at the 36-year-olds
departure.
Stubbs said: We're all gutted to see him go to be honest, but
we're all chuffed to bits for him as well. Rangers are getting a
top man. He's really well respected here.
Since he signed here he's done a fantastic job.
He's had a great career at Everton. David, as club captain, was
always there for people to talk to, he was the intellectual one
really. So it is really sad to see him go.
Weir joined the club in 1999 when new Rangers chief Smith was in
charge at Goodison Park.
Stubbs added: "He is going to work with Walter again, someone he
gets on really well with and respects. So it's a fresh challenge
for him.
He's a Rangers man. It's a fresh start for him because he hasn't
been playing here that much and he'll want to play more
matches."
