Weir Could Have Saved Karl Career

Apr 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

KARL SVENSSON reckons he could have been a Rangers hit like Carlos Cuellar if only he had the chance to play with Davie Weir from the start of his Ibrox career.

Spaniard Cuellar is in the running to be named Scotland's Player of the Year in his debut season but fellow candidate Weir is getting much of the credit for helping him settle in.

Svensson flopped after Paul Le Guen signed him from IFK Gothenburg but insists Weir's experience could have been pivotal.

It was hard enough for the young Swede making his first move abroad and the fact he was forced to play with different partners made it even tougher.

Svensson - now at French side Caen - played just four games with Scotland veteran Weir but says it was more than enough to boost his confidence.

The 24-year-old reckons if he had a father figure like Weir beside him he could have flourished under his influence like Cuellar has.

The 2006 Sweden World Cup squad member said: "There's no doubt it could have been different if I had played with Davie from the start. Maybe fans would be talking about me like Carlos but I did what I could and it wasn't enough.

"By the time Davie arrived it was too late and I needed a fresh start. I was at Ibrox for six months when he was there.

"Even if he's old enough to be my dad there's no doubt he's a great player.

"Young players like myself can always learn from the older ones like Davie.

"I remember in the early part of my Ibrox career when I felt down I would talk to the young goalkeeper Lee Robinson and Antoine Ponroy.

"But Davie was a leader of the team and a really good man off the pitch as well and that's what I liked about him."

Walter Smith allowed Svensson to leave and the Swede suffered a horrendous time with injuries at new club Caen. But Svensson has no regrets about leaving and said: "Walter told me he believed in me but after working hard I didn't play.

"I wanted to play first team football and that was the most important thing.

"But I'm enjoying my new life in France even if things haven't been so good on the field."