Rangers captain Weir signs new contract

GLASGOW (AFP) - Rangers captain David Weir signed a new one-year contract with the Scottish champions on Sunday.

The Scotland defender agreed the deal in Belfast ahead of his side's 4-1 friendly win over Linfield on Saturday and put pen to paper 24 hours later.

The 41-year-old admitted it was a difficult decision to extend his playing career in Scotland as it will keep him away from his family, who live in England.

But the lure of playing on for Ally McCoist's team was too strong for the former Everton centre-back to turn down.

He told the Rangers website: "It's taken a while but it's good to get it sorted out now.

"I can't think of a better place to play my football. I've obviously got commitments to my family and from that point of view it's not ideal, but football-wise it's a no-brainer.

"This is the place I want to play and as long as the manager thinks I can still do a job then I'm happy to sign here.

"The family thing is obviously a consideration but it works well for me at the moment because I have a good balance.

"When I'm in Glasgow I'm focused on the football and doing what I need to the night before games and the likes. Things like rest that I might not get when I'm at home."