Rangers fuelled by criticism
GRAEME MURTY last night told Rangers’ arch critics they have done his prederby team talk for him. As Pedro Caixinha prepared to fly into Scotland, the Ibrox club’s dismal season to date sees them travel across Glasgow tomorrow 33 points behind Celtic and priced at odds of 8-1 to become the first Scottish side to defeat the champions this season. The contrasting fortunes of the Glasgow giants this week prompted ex-Celt Frank McAvennie to suggest an 8-0 win for his old club is not out of the question, with his former team-mate Andy Walker suggesting Rangers were ‘weak, timid and lacked heart’. But interim boss Murty, whose side will be watched by the incoming
Caixinha and his backroom team tomorrow, predicted such bold remarks will have a hollow ring to them come full-time. ‘They’ve done my job for me. I don’t have to motivate the team,’ said Murty. ‘If I just pick up all the headlines of all the experts outside of our group who don’t really know the players, who don’t know the personalities within the group, but have made these sweeping statements … I’ll just pin them up and say: “That’s what the world thinks about you. What do you think about yourselves? What are you going to do about it? Go and put it into effect on Sunday.” ‘Because that’s the bottom line. People can think what they like about this group of players. But this group has a fantastic opportunity on Sunday to change everyone’s mind. ‘We are behind at the moment. People are throwing things at the players. Does anyone in this room expect us to go and win? ‘I’ve said to the players that no one expects you to go and win. So you’ve got a fantastic opportunity to get off properly on the right foot with the new manager and make a statement about where you want to be and where you want the football club to be. The opportunity is there for you to be successful.’ Rangers and Qatari side Al-Gharafa last night agreed a compensation package to allow Caixinha to move. While any involvement in tomorrow’s game seems unlikely, Murty is adamant that he would be open to carrying out any tactical instructions Caixinha might have. ‘Someone will come in. If he wants something implemented it will be my job to implement it,’ added Murty.