In the second of a series of features in the build up to the historic first international match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, between Scotland and Ivory Coast, we take a look at Everton's Scottish links
David Weir of Everton challenges Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal in a match at Highbury on October 16, 1999
David Weir of Everton challenges Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal in a match at Highbury on October 16, 1999(Image: Tony O'Brien /Allsport)
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David Weir joined Everton weeks before his 29th birthday.
Which makes his record as Everton's most capped Scottish international even more remarkable.
Weir was signed from Hearts on this day (February 16) in 1999 for a bargain £200,000 – his contract with the Edinburgh club was expiring in the summer – and over the next six-and-a-half years his form over 269 Everton appearances was so consistent, so convincing that he added 43 more caps to his ultimate total of 69 Scotland appearances.
Or 42 if FIFA are counting! The Scottish FA awarded caps for a 2002 international against a Hong Kong XI which Weir played in, but FIFA refused to recognise.
Regardless of the authenticity of that international, Weir had represented his country just nine times before his move South, but so reliable were his Premier League performances that Craig Brown quickly added to that total.
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A disagreement with Berti Vogts, who managed Scotland between 2002 and 2004, saw Weir announce his retirement from international football. But when the man who lured Weir into English football, Walter Smith, took over from Vogts the centre-back was persuaded to return to the international fold.
That led to another record for Weir.
When he played against Lithuania in September 2010 he became Scotland’s oldest footballer, aged 40 years and 116 days. He extended that record when he faced Spain in October of the same year, aged 40 years 155 days.
It was a record he held until goalkeeper Craig Gordon eclipsed him, playing Greece in March 2025 at 42 years and 79 days. However, Weir is still his country's oldest outfield player.
He was also the 'beneficiary' of one of Everton's more unusual nicknames.
Evertonian nicknames for their footballers can be weird and wonderful, from The Golden Vision (Alex Young) to the Last of the Corinthians (Brian Labone), from a captain called 'Khyber' (Ben Williams, because he hailed from Wales ... which is full of valleys) to a striker called Back of the Echo (Ibrahima Bakayoko).
But, perhaps in line with his unflappable demeanour, David Weir's was more prosaic. His team-mates called him 'Peas'.
The reasoning was never fully explained, other than it was a short for Peas and Gravy, which rhymes with Davey. Obviously.
'Peas' was an excellent, if unheralded Everton defender and an integral member of the team which achieved the club's highest Premier League placing in 2005. A fine header of the ball and a good reader of the game, Weir possessed the versatility to play initially at right-back, and even on one unexpected occasion in central midfield in a relegation crunch clash at Blackburn; Everton won 2-1.
But centre half was his natural position and alongside another Tartan golden oldie, Richard Gough, he brought composure and experience to the Everton back line. When Gough was ruled out for most of the 2000/01 season through injury, Weir assumed the Everton captaincy and during the fourth placed finish campaign of 2004/05 formed a formidable partnership with Alan Stubbs.
Captain David Weir congratulates fellow Scot Duncan Ferguson on his winning goal in the match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on April 20, 2005
Captain David Weir congratulates fellow Scot Duncan Ferguson on his winning goal in the match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on April 20, 2005(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Not renowned for his goalscoring – nine in his 269 appearances – Weir nevertheless opened the scoring in the match which was effectively the top four clincher at Goodison against Newcastle. At the end of the season Weir signed a contract extension, and following Alan Stubbs’ departure to Sunderland was named club captain.
He led the Blues out on his final Everton appearance in December 2006 at Portsmouth and in January 2007, Walter Smith, who had returned to manage Rangers, signed him on a free transfer. In keeping with so much of his career, he enjoyed another Indian Summer at Ibrox, instrumental in Rangers reaching the 2008 UEFA Cup final; while for Scotland he was a key component in a side that unexpectedly beat France in a 2007 European Championship qualifier.
He continued to represent Rangers until midway through his 42nd year, until the club's crippling financial problems saw him leave to spend a few weeks on a pay as you play deal with Sheffield United. He returned to Everton as an academy coach - and displayed his supreme fitness on the day of his return, turning out in a reserve derby with Liverpool and playing his part in a 1-1 draw.
Scotland face Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 in a FIFA World Cup warm up match. It will be the first senior men’s international fixture to be staged at Everton’s new waterfront home, and the first time the club has hosted the Scots since 1911. On that occasion Alex Higgins scored a late equaliser at Goodison Park against England in the Home International Championships.
Tickets are now available for this latest fixture on general sale online via the Everton website, by phone on 0151 556 1878, or in person at Hill Dickinson Stadium’s Box Office during opening hours, with prices starting from £27 for Adults and £16 for Under-16s.
Premium hospitality packages across the stadium’s bars, restaurants and premium experiences are available via Seat Unique from £120 + VAT, subject to availability, click here to purchase or learn more.
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