Rangers captain David Weir insists Barry Ferguson deserved to lift the Clydesdale Bank Premier League trophy just as much as he did.

Weir took over the skipper's armband several weeks ago when Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy and looked like his Rangers career was over in the wake of the infamous 'Boozegate' affair. However, the midfielder has come off the bench in the last two games to help the Ibrox side defeat Aberdeen and Dundee United to clinch the title.

And, when the time came for Weir to hold aloft the silverware following Sunday's 3-0 win at Tannadice, the veteran defender made sure it was a joint effort with Ferguson. "It was the right decision," said Weir. "Barry has been the captain of the club for the majority of the season so I wouldn't have felt right doing it myself."

He added: "Barry contributed a great deal to the season and played a big part and it was the right thing to do."

As well as the off-field problems with Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Rangers endured plenty of on-field obstacles as well.

At one stage, they were seven points adrift of rivals Celtic and written off in most quarters only to defy all the odds to triumph by four points and be crowned Scottish champions.

"It says a lot about the team," said Weir.

"There have been questions asked all season. All week people have been asking whether we were capable of doing it and we have answered them in the right way.

"We probably put on one of our best performances of the season in the biggest game of the season, so that says everything. It's an amazing feeling. It has been a long season with lots of ups and downs so to finally get your hands on the trophy is massive."