I must prove I’m the man for Gers: Murty

GRAEME Murty admits he has to make himself “irreplaceable” if he wants to keep the Rangers job beyond the summer.

Ahead of today’s clash at Kilmarnock, the Ibrox board have finally confirmed Murty as Pedro Caixinha’s long-term replacement nearly two months after axing their former boss.

The caretaker manager has been told he will remain in charge until the end of the season, with managing director Stewart Robertson admitting he is in “pole position” to land a long-term deal.

The former Reading and Scotland defender has made no bones of the fact he wants the job on a permanent basis. But he knows that will only happen if he can eradicate the mistakes that have already seen his side slip up against Hamilton, Dundee and St Johnstone since taking up interim command two months ago.

He said: “It’s my job and the players’ job to make ourselves irreplaceable. I’ve always said you must aspire to be the best you can be. If I do the best job I can, hopefully I make it relatively simple for the board.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work as manager at Rangers. You don’t just want to do it for a short period. If I’m good at it and stand out hopefully I can get to do it for longer.

“That’s my aim — to improve and move my career forward.”

Gers initially made it clear they wanted Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, but their approach ended in embarrassment as the Dons boss decided to stay put. However, Murty appeared unconcerned by suggestions he was second choice.

“Derek made a decision we fully respect,” he said. “I now have an opportunity because of that to manage a wonderful club.”

The Under-20s boss admitted there was “no way” he could turn down the offer to extend his current nine-game stint in charge. But he confessed he is making the step up into first-team management far earlier than he could ever have predicted.

Murty will now oversee the club’s January recruitment drive and plans to hire a new coach to assist him.

“It is a daunting task, but it’s my task,” admitted the 43-yearold. “It’s up to me to make sure at the end of the season we’re moving forward. This is happening for me far earlier than I thought it would but it’s an unbelievable opportunity, and one I want to grab with both hands.”