NewBluesmatchwayI want to play... my Gers will hit and SAYS GRAEME MURTY TO LAY OUT NEW BLUEPRINT

IN ORLANDO WITH RANGERS T is the red, white and blueprint for Rangers. For Graeme Murty, it is the way forward at Ibrox.

Just months after a handful of foreign imports were brought on board by Pedro Caixinha, his successor in the dugout has adopted a far different approach in the transfer market.

Murty won’t pre-judge any player, won’t rule out signing anyone from anywhere. But in terms of style, ability and character, he knows what he is looking for.

Having seen big-money buys like Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera fail to justify their price tags following their moves from Mexico, the Gers are going for a more straightforward and more familiar strategy this time around.

Sean Goss and Jamie Murphy joined the Light Blues at the Florida Cup last week following their moves from Queens Park Rangers and Brighton respectively, as did Andy Halliday and Michael O’Halloran as they returned from loan spells away from Ibrox. And last night Jason Cummings became the latest addition after signing on loan until the end of the season.

The other names on the shopping list – Russell Martin, and Greg Docherty – know the game here and will be in under no illusions about the task at Rangers.

Murty has made an impact with the squads that both Mark Warburton and then Caixinha built at considerable cost.

Now, the 43-year-old can build his own group in his own image.

“I don’t want to cast aspersions on anyone from outside Scotland or indeed the British Isles. That would not be right,” Murty said.

“But the make-up and style

Iof football that I want to play is simple.

“I want to be dynamic, I want to be up-tempo and fast-paced.

“I want to be physical, but I also need players who can deal with the football.

“Players who can stand up inside Ibrox and command possession of the ball.

“I talked a while back about the recruitment group and what we were looking for.

“I want strong characters, people who can handle the mental demands of playing for Rangers and playing at Ibrox.

“Because listen, it’s hard to play at Ibrox. It’s not easy to play with the expectation that comes with being a Rangers player and rightly so because of the history of this football club.

“But we want people who can accept that responsibility, play to the style we are looking to implement and also walk out at Ibrox and make something happen.

“Your character is revealed when you play for Rangers, you need character to play at Ibrox.

“I’m adding players to the group who will sacrifice themselves for the team.”

FOR several weeks after the departure of Caixinha, Murty and director of football Mark Allen were working on a transfer strategy that may never have been put into use at Ibrox.

Had events unfolded in a different manner, the former Under-20s boss would not be the man compiling the list of targets or giving the final say on the deals this month.

With second place in the Premiership and the Scottish Cup to fight for in the second half of the season, Murty knows his new recruits must hit the ground running.

He said: “I don’t want to take a chance with people and players we don’t know.

“That would be a risk and at this moment in time that is not necessary. We want people who will come in and contribute from day one.

“That is the pool we are working with at the moment and if you look at them they are fairly young.

“They are hungry to learn and they are hungry for success. They are athletic and they will bring something different.

“It’s not about where you are from, it’s about what you can bring to the team.”

The chance to wheel and d deal li in th the t transfer f market kti is one that Murty has never experienced as a manager before but it is an opportunity he is making the most of.

That doesn’t mean he will overlook those already within his ranks in favour of a raft of fresh faces, however. As always, the key is in the balance.

YOUNGSTERS Ross McCrorie and David Bates are set to remain as important parts of his squad and Murty is pleased with how they have adapted to the rigours of first team football.

He said: “I haven’t been surprised by how well they have done because I have seen them play and I’ve seen them train.

“I know how hungry these boys are. They have improved no doubts, but for them the hard work starts now.

“There is so much work for them both. The key thing for them is not where they are currently but more how much better do they want to become?

“They need to keep pushing on. They are performing well at the moment but I want more, they both know me well enough to realise that. There is more to come from them both.”

The focus for the rest of the window will be on putting the finishing touches to the plan – both in terms of arrivals and departures - that Murty and Allen have devised at Auchenhowie.

But Murty is keen to reward those performing for him. In the cases of Danny Wilson and Josh Windass, that could mean fresh terms being put on the table for consideration.

The Gers boss said: “Our discussions with them will be ongoing although as to lengths of contracts that’s something I will talk to the players about.

“We have spoken to both about their situations but so far detailed discussions haven’t taken place.”

Your character is revealed when you play for Rangers, you need character