Stopper in shock after hearing of Warbs exit
CLINT HILL last night admitted the Rangers players were stunned by Mark Warburton’s sudden departure from Ibrox. The veteran defender thanked his now former manager for bringing him to Rangers and believes his fellow Englishman would prove to be a success elsewhere.
Hill played in the 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Morton and admitted it had not been an easy few days, praising Graeme Murty who was pushed into first-team duties.
Hill said: “I’m obviously dis-appointed to see Mark go. He brought me into the club and I’ve got to thank him for that.
“Unfortunately, that’s football and we wish him all the best in the future career that he’ll have. I’m sure he’ll go on to be a success somewhere else as well. It’s been difficult. It kind of sprung on everybody Friday evening. Now we’ve lost our gaffer. Obviously Graeme’s come in and has done a great job today getting us together.”
And Hill told Sky Sports that Morton had not made it any easier for Rangers.
“It was a difficult game. Full credit to Morton. It was all about winning, getting into the next round, and that’s what we did.”
Former Rangers star Neil McCann accused the club of not giving supporters anything like the full story of what happened last week.
The Sky pundit i nsisted Scottish football needed the Ibrox side to be competing against Celtic which at this moment seems to be years away.
But the former winger felt Warburton’s time was over after losing 4-1 at Tynecastle.
McCann said: “It’s a mess and it’s so unclear, so we need to find out what’s true and what’s not.
“It’s important we get some clarity on what decision has been made and by who. One way or another, it has to come out.
“Clearly, we have to make this situation better than what we’re seeing just now. Rangers are a massive club and we need them back at the top of our game to create competition.
“It’s clear that results haven’t been good enough and to be sitting 27 points behind Celtic is by no means good enough.
“Fans tend to make these types of decisions easier for boards. They start to get disgruntled and air their views.
“The defeat to Hearts has had a major bearing on what way the fans were going. It was damaging and now we are where we are.”
Meanwhile, former Rangers striker Steven MacLean isn’t surprised St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has been linked with the vacant Rangers post.
The 34-year-old began his career at Ibrox during the bigspending Dick Advocaat era before spells south of the border with Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle.
Perth players have become accustomed to seeing the Ulsterman, a 2004 Scottish Cup winner, linked with other clubs.
MacLean, who recently signed a new 12-month deal at McDiarmid Park, said: “We’re not surprised he is being linked with Rangers with the job he has done and the budget he has here.
“It is testament to himself, his staff and the players as well. We are just hoping we don’t lose him.
“Obviously if big teams do come in for him then it will probably be hard for him to say no. But hopefully we can keep him here.”