Staggering
Murts can’t believe he’s got job till season end
GRAEME MURTY admits he’s “staggered” to be offered the chance to land one of the biggest jobs in British football.
The rookie boss revealed his astonishment at the decision of the Rangers board
to place him in the hotseat until at least the end of the season. Murty, 43, could even land the job on a long-term basis in the summer if he maintains a credible challenge to Celtic in the league and lifts the Scottish Cup.
The Rangers board turned to their Under-20s coach after Derek McInnes knocked back the job and the candidates’ list drawn up by director of football Mark Allen failed to find a fit.
Murty has earned a bumper pay rise and will oversee recruitment in the January transfer window when up to four new players are expected to arrive as loan star Declan John yesterday signed a three-and-a-half year deal.
Murty said: “I really want to move forward and repay the faith the board have shown in me because I’m staggered they have.
“I honestly didn’t think I
was in the running at all but the board said they liked the job I was doing and the way I was handling everything.
“It’s still a little bit surreal a club of this stature would give me this opportunity but there’s no way, in good conscience, I could turn it down.
“Before I was preparing the team for someone else to come in, judge and take forward and I was content with that. Now it’s my team there is a different focus.
“There are things I would like to change and implement around the training ground and we can be sharper in our matchday protocols. I haven’t wanted to rock the boat because it wasn’t my place but now I’ve got an opportunity to the end of the season.”
Murty will continue to call on Ibrox legend Walter Smith for advice behind the scenes and will also move in the coming days to appoint an assistant. Managing director Stewart Robertson confirmed Murty has been handed a significant pay hike but said: “He’s no longer on a youth coach wage but I’m not telling you how much.
“A new assistant will come in. It won’t be Walter but it needs to be someone Graeme knows and is confident he can trust.” Robertson has also moved to allay fears of Rangers fans over the future financial investment by Dave King after he fell foul of the takeover panel.
A judge has ruled he must make an £11million shares offer, potentially plunging the club owner into a major cash crisis as King’s lawyer previously told Lord Bannatyne he was “penniless”.
Asked if he was confident King’s guarantee to plug financial shortfalls won’t be affected, Robertson added: “One hundred per cent. Absolutely.”