Weir rearing to prove Livi wrong

Aug 21 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

FORMER Livingston striker Steven Weir is set to put pen to paper on a deal with Second Division leaders Brechin City or Arbroath.

The pacy frontman progressed through the ranks at Almondvale from the youth academy to the first team but was released when Pearse Flynn sold the club to the new owners.

And now the 19-year-old is delighted to have the chance to kickstart his career with one of the Second Division title chasers but he admits to being disappointed with how his time at Livingston ended.

He said: “I’m delighted to have the chance of a new start as I’ve been out of football for a few months since being released by Livingston.

“Brechin have started really well in Division Two but Arbroath are another team who could do well.

“Hopefully I can do well and help whichever side I sign with up to the First Division.

“I know I’m not going to walk straight into either team as they are scoring goals but I’m prepared to fight and do my best to break into the team.

“Both bosses knows what I can do and have urged me just to play my own game.”

Weir was a regular in the Livi side towards the end of last season but when boss Mark Proctor was sacked Weir was left in limbo, and after several weeks he was released.

But he has not been short of offers with interest from Sweden and Bulgaria, as well as from Dumbarton and of course Brechin and Arbroath.

“I spoke to a few people and the chance of a move to Bulgaria came up.

“I actually flew out to speak to them and had a look at the club and the town but although it was a good offer financially I don’t think it was right for me.

“But all I want is to do well where ever I go and prove a few people wrong. I’m sure that both sides can get up to the First Division this season.

“I was disappointed with how things ended at Livingston but that’s football I suppose.

“I do feel I was treated badly towards the end of my time there.

“I played a few games towards the end of the season and had a clause in my contract for another year so I don’t know what happened.

“And when Mark Proctor was sacked and the new owners came in I thought they’d at least have a look at me as they had never seen most of the players.

“I’d like to play against them and show them they made a mistake but that’s a long way off yet.

“But I still keep in touch with a few of the boys at Livingston and I hope they do well.

“They’re all good lads and I hope they have a great season.”

The teen striker is sure to be a handful for Second Division defences this season but there will definitely be divided loyalties in the Weir household during the season when Steven gets the chance to clash with older brother Graham.

The elder sibling will be leading the line for Raith Rovers and the Second Division title could hinge on a Weir family shoot-out.