DAVID WEIR'S capacity to delay the inevitable was mightily tested by pacy forwards, strongly challenged by rivals to his first-team spot and stretched by routine injury.

At 41, however, he has had to bow out at Rangers because of the most unforgiving of factors: financial constraints.

The conversation between Ally McCoist, the Rangers manager, and Weir will remain properly private but the departure of the club captain is surely not a matter of mystery. He was not playing while earning a substantial wage. Taken in tandem with the proposed off-loading on a loan basis of John Fleck, the bottom line of the Weir story is financial.

Rangers are freeing up money to bring in other players. Fleck, never seemingly a McCoist favourite, was always in a vulnerable position despite recent injuries at the club. Weir, valued highly in the dressing-room, was a candidate for disposal for a variety of reasons.

However, a major fall-out with the manager was not one of them. McCoist and Weir shared a mutual respect. The footballer's recently published autobiography made clear his respect for the manager, with whom he has worked closely for five years. McCoist, too, appreciated Weir's efforts over an enormously successful period for the club but had to make a business decision. With Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra forming a strong central defensive partnership – and Kyle Bartley, Sasa Papac, Ross Perry and Kirk Broadfoot able to play in the position – McCoist knew that he was adequately covered in this area of the pitch.

However, he desperately needs players in midfield and up front. The injuries to Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty, and the much predicted departure of Nikica Jelavic, make McCoist's predicament more than a tad pressing. The transfer clock is ticking and he must move quickly.

It is highly likely that McCoist has had to finance transfer dealings from the present budget, so wage earners had to go before other wage earners arrived. Weir seems to have made the manager's decision easier by falling on his sword. He had no desire to stay at a club if he was not going to play regularly. He was also never going to hold the club he supported to any contractual stipulations.

This impression is reinforced by the fact that Weir went on the pre-season tour with Rangers without a contract. If he had been injured then, he could conceivably have faced a season without a club and without a regular wage. He was prepared to do this in the hope that he would be offered a deal.

A contract was duly offered and signed but was rendered redundant yesterday, leaving observers only to assess Weir's contribution to the Ibrox club and to speculate on what awaits the defender in his football career.

It must be stated simply that as a player and a personality Weir was an inspired signing by Walter Smith. The Scotland internationalist was central in the side winning eight domestic honours, including three successive league titles. Those of us who retained doubts about his ability to endure, citing periodic exposures of his lack of pace, were left to rewrite sporting obituaries when he immediately proved he was still a formidable presence. For example, a poor performance in the 3-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead last season was followed by Weir leading his side to a League Cup triumph over the same opponents.

His influence, of course, stretched far beyond the playing field. Smith, who rated the defender as one of his best signings, was mightily impressed by how Weir performed his professional duties on the training field and in the dressing room. Youngsters, such as Jamie Ness, have spoken of how Weir sets the tone for players off the park.

Brutally competitive and occasionally ruthless in play, Weir was studied, careful and almost reflective in speech.

His last appearance in a Rangers shirt was yesterday's bounce match with St Johnstone but he was also conspicuous last week as Marcello Lippi and Andre Villa-Boas came to Glasgow for an SFA coaching seminar. Weir, who is studying for his pro licence, took time to witness both men make the Scottish Cup draw and also was an intent observer as the managers talked of the game later that night at Hampden.

He obviously intends to pursue a career in management. There are reports that he was sounded out as a possibility for the St Johnstone job before Steve Lomas was appointed. However, Weir is much more likely to manage a club in England.

His family – he has four children of school age – live in Cheshire and Weir has no plans to uproot them. He has a standing invitation from David Moyes to coach at Everton but Weir would prefer to try and continue playing.

Of appearing in the reserves recently, he said: ''I enjoyed that, working with Tommy Wilson, and have learned a lot from him. That gave me the opportunity to play alongside some of the younger boys and I really enjoyed that.''

This is not just Weir displaying his customary decency. It is an authentic reflection of his attitude. Weir is a rich man but it was never all about the money for him, particularly and obviously at Ibrox.