Rangers boss’ fate will be decided at Hampden Cupsemi nowmake or break for Murty
THE theory was that the match with Celtic would make or break Graeme Murty’s chances of being Rangers manager next season.
It wasn’t the one played on Sunday that could have the biggest bearing on his future, though. Instead, it is the Scottish Cup semi-final that will give the Rangers board the clearest indication yet whether the man currently at the helm should remain there.
Beating Brendan Rodgers’ side in the Premiership would have been the most significant win of Murty’s managerial career but if he, and indeed the Rangers fans, had a choice, it is the next game with Celtic that they would have prioritised before a ball was kicked yesterday. That one, for many reasons, is a must-win for Murty.
A solid second place in the Premiership and a Scottish Cup success would make Murty favourite to be in charge next term. Anything less and the search will surely begin all over again.
Murty has always been reluctant to place his own personal situation ahead of any discussion about his players or what is best for Rangers, not just in the here and now but in the future.
The defeat to Celtic at Ibrox will put his position under the spotlight once again but it will be events at Hampden that could define his immediate managerial ambitions.
When he was asked last week whether he had made his mind up as to whether he saw himself as a youth coach or a boss in his own right, the 43-year-old paused for thought and quipped ‘Can you ask me after Sunday?’
His answer thereafter was passionate, however, as he expressed how much he is relishing the role, the responsibility and the ‘honour’ of holding the post.
His two stints in charge at Ibrox have been steep learning curves for Murty but if he takes anything away from them it will surely be a belief that he can be a gaffer. Time will tell if that is at Rangers.
It is one thing going back to being in charge of the Light Blues’ Under-20s after a handful of matches as a caretaker, like Murty did when he reverted to his previous role when Pedro Caixinha was appointed as Mark Warburton’s successor last year.
But now, having been manager, signed players, improved performances, won big games and with his sights set on Scottish Cup silverware, that transition is surely impossible for a second time.
Being back working with youth players and being on the touchline for second string matches in front of mums and dads rather than 50,000 fans just won’t provide the same buzz or satisfaction.
So, even if his work with Rangers isn’t enough to earn him the job beyond the summer, Murty will surely have caught the eye of a board somewhere in the country. If he gets a chance elsewhere, he will have earned it.
He won’t have given up on his ambitions of still being at Ibrox, though. The defeat by Celtic was painful, but it wasn’t terminal for Murty.
He was let down by some of his players as defensive lapses and missed chances cost Rangers dear but he was also culpable for the outcome.
At 2-2 and with Celtic down to 10 men, Rodgers made the switch that ultimately won his side the game as Odsonne Edouard entered the action.
In the opposite dugout, it took until after Celtic had scored their third goal for Murty to make an attacking change as Jason Cummings replaced Sean Goss. Somehow, Josh Windass saw out the game.
It is in those moments, when those big calls are made, that matches are won or lost and that managers earn their wages and forge their reputations.
Like his side, Murty is a work in progress. Improvements have been made but more must be forthcoming if he is to convince his detractors that he is the man to lead Rangers back to where they want to be.
There is much to like and admire about Murty and the fact he knows and understands Rangers is a significant plus for him, but results will determine his fate.
Losing once to Celtic won’t cost him dear, but it will have raised questions and doubts, even in the minds of those that back him as boss.
Murty missed a huge chance to tick an important box at Ibrox. He can’t afford to pass up another.