Weir and Ferguson lifted the SPL trophy at Tannadice

Rangers captain David Weir says Barry Ferguson deserved to lift the league trophy just as much as he did after they jointly did the honours on Sunday.

Weir took over when Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy after misbehaviour while with Scotland.

"It was the right decision," said Weir. "Barry has been the captain for the majority of the season so I wouldn't have felt right doing it myself.

"Barry contributed a great deal to the season and played a big part."

Ferguson, who was suspended along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor amid suggestions he would never play for the club again, has come off the bench in the last two games to help the Glasgow side defeat Aberdeen and Dundee United to clinch the title on the final day.

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.

At one stage, Rangers were seven points adrift of holders Celtic - and written off in most quarters only to defy all the odds to triumph by four points as their city rivals stumbled to a home draw with Hearts.

It's a dream because I really wanted the title and the Champions League is coming now. It's perfect Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra

"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."

The title triumph also guarantees Champions League group-stage football next season after suffering the disappointment of crashing out of Europe in qualifying at the start of this term.

"It means everything," said Weir. "We are guaranteed six games in the Champions League and that's where Rangers should be every season. It's great to have that to look forward to."

Fellow centre-half Madjid Bougherra is also relishing the prospect of his first taste of the Champions League after ending an impressive debut season at Ibrox with a league winner's medal.

"It's a dream because I really wanted the title and the Champions League is coming now. It's perfect," he said, ending speculation that he might leave the club for a return to English football in the summer.

"It's a big thing to play in the Champions League for the club, for the fans and for the players."

Rangers now turn their attention to Falkirk and next week's Scottish Cup final as they attempt to secure a domestic double.

"It's difficult to think about it just now," said Bougherra. "But the double is the best result we can have this season, so we will have to see what happens next week."

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