Wallace still carries the scars but is ready to battle for a bright new day
“Mymindsethas
been to forget
last season”
THE brochure billed it as ‘The Journey.’ A colourful, stress-free break from the chaos of the top flight that assuredly would last no longer than three years.
But as Rangers drifted increasingly further from their scheduled destination last season, the adventure became more akin to a holiday from hell as opposed to something for their supporters to savour.
For Lee Wallace, who had pledged to stand by the stricken club as it attempted to win three successive promotions, the prospect of a fourth year spent in exile just didn’t bear thinking about.
If a comprehensive defeat to Motherwell in the two- legged Play- Off Final three months ago confirmed the defender’s worst fears, then a summer break best measured in days rather than weeks seemed unlikely to dull the pain.
For the 28-year-old, then, the early days of Mark Warburton’s reign have been the ideal tonic.
Revitalised and now decorated with the captain’s armband, the football Rangers have played thus far under the Englishman has allowed those who carry the scars of a shambolic last campaign to live in the moment once again.
However, as Wallace reflected yesterday on his earlier declaration that the club could not even think about spending another season in the Championship, he said: ‘At the time, I meant the players could not really contemplate failure.
‘The mindset was very much that we wanted to go up. I was very aware that i n the worst- case scenario, if it happened, I would still be standing fully by the club and want to do my best to rectify a poor season and reward the fans.
‘My mindset in the last few weeks, or certainly since the new manager and Davie (Weir) have come in, has been to forget last season and focus on the positive.
‘The break has been shorter and I think we were all itching to get back when we heard the new announcement.
‘From the first moment we heard the manager speak to now, it has been so intriguing.
‘The level of detail the two of them work in is incredible.
‘They are fantastic on the football pitch, great in meeting rooms, great with analysis, and great as men, which is even better. I have been feeling really good.’
Fundamentally, t hough, t he f eelgood f actor that’s f i nally enveloped Murray Park has been honed by a string of fine results and performances.
Wit h each passing week , Warburton’s players look more at ease with his preferred 4-3-3 shape. A total of 17 goals have been scored in four games, with the attacking remit handed to Wallace and his fellow full-back James Tavernier one of the main supply lines.
‘I love that side of the game,’ added Wallace. ‘Although first and foremost I’m a defender and that’s still part of my game I need to work on as well as going forward — and Tav’s the same.
‘I was lucky enough to get two goals last week (against St Mirren) and Tav’s already chipped in from the other side.
‘He has been superb, a proper attacking full-back.
‘A lot of the players have stuff we need to get better at and that will happen under the manager and Davie.’
Confirmation this week that Wallace is to s ucceed Lee McCulloch as club skipper was another welcome fillip.
When he joined Rangers in 2011, not in a million years could he have envisaged the bulk of his days would be spent facing minnows of the Scottish game.
The reward for his patience and loyalty is now there for all to see.
‘It feels great, it really does,’ he said. ‘I was privileged to step in as vice- captain in the last couple of seasons and deputise f or Jig (McCulloch), who was a first-class captain. I learned a lot from him. Now I’ve been named as club captain, I am so appreciative to the manager.
‘ I’ m ready to meet all the challenges and responsibilities head on and do what I can to help the team and any individual at any time.’
Wallace will take heed of the styles of previous Rangers captains while fundamentally doing things his way.
‘In the last five to 10 years and beyond, there have been some top names,’ he noted. ‘ The captains I have worked under had different traits. (Carlos) Bocanegra had a wealth of experience, David Weir I can go and ask any question at any moment in time and get any advice.
‘There’s Jig and Steven Davis, who l ed i n terms of how he conducted himself. I am ready for the responsibility, ready to help and ready to learn, which I’m doing every day on both the football side and in terms of the role and responsibility of being the captain. I think I’ll lead by example.’
You would think that Wallace has enough on his plate without seeking additional responsibilities away from his day job.
And yet, when his schedule permits, the man with eight full Scotland caps will be seen coaching in his native Edinburgh at Saughton Enclosure — the home of East of Scotland club Tynecastle.
‘The manager (here) is fine with that as long as I’m preparing right,’ explained Wallace. ‘I must stress Rangers are my No 1 priority, which we all expect anyway. But I think it’s a good thing I’m doing it and I’m loving it.
‘I’ve been involved in (coaching) for five going on six years now. Tuesday and Thursday are training nights and games are on Saturday. Obviously whenever I can make it I’ll be along at games as well.’
The extra r esponsibility is evidently doing him and Rangers no harm. Ahead of their trip to face Ayr in the Petrofac Training Cup tonight, there’s a growing expectation that by the end of the season the new Ibrox skipper will be lifting some silverware.
Wallace added: ‘ No matter the surface, no matter where it is, no matter the opposition, we will approach the game with our game plan, and try and be the best Rangers team we can be.’