Davie Weir is hoping for a repeat of Walter Smith’s EBT success story of the naughties.
A decade after quitting Everton for Ibrox Weir is back in town assisting Mark Warburton as they attempt to make up ground on Celtic.
Smith had a simple solution to the problem- attract players by getting Dave Murray to crank up the EBT payments.
After finishing third under Alex McLeish and seeing the Paul le Guen revolution dead and buried after six months and minimal expenditure Murray pressed the EBT button to dramatic effect.
In 2008 Rangers (IL) reached the UEFA Cup Final, after losing out to Kaunus in a Champions League qualifier three months later Murray brought in Steve Davis, Pedro Mendes and Maurice Edu who formed the backbone of three SPL title wins and two more Champions League campaigns.
Eventually it ended in tears, administration and liquidation but that doesn’t prevent Weir from hoping for a similar transformation.
Looking back a decade ago to his arrival at Ibrox Warbo’s number two told The Sun: “It gives you hope but times have changed and because it happened ten years ago doesn’t mean it is going to happen now.
“Walter was clever in regard to how he invested and how the players took on the challenge. He made it work but spending money doesn’t guarantee success as we have seen before.
“We’ve sold out the last four games, 50,000 at home, it’s an unbelievable club.
“It puts pressure on you but it’s a good pressure, it makes you want to be successful and makes you want to reward their loyalty and support.
“Even coming back on Sunday in the airport fans were patting you on the back and we’ve been beaten 4-0.”
On Saturday around 18,000 fans are expected for the Scottish Cup tie against Motherwell with the away team due half of the gate money.
Weir was speaking at the launch of a new scheme to get supporters to buy bricks.