Murty on a hiding to nothing at Parkhead

GRAEME MURTY is back in an old movie. Heading to Parkhead on a hiding to nothing. Nine months ago the interim manager secured an unexpected point at Celtic Park. He did it by playing the champions at their own pressing game, thrusting three strikers on top of home defenders at goal kicks. Reduced to lumping the ball up the pitch, Clint Hill punished Celtic when he struck a late equaliser to scenes of jubilation in the away support. Murty got his tactics spot on. Pedro Caixinha watched from the stand that day and by rights that’s where he should have stayed. The former manager spent £8million on some high-profile signings in the summer. Alfredo Morelos and Daniel Candeias are paying their way. But Eduardo Herrera and Carlos Pena look a waste of £3.5m. Graham Dorrans is injured. Fabio Cardoso is average. And Bruno Alves is a man already searching for the January exit. Caixinha did get one thing right when he predicted a big future for Ross McCrorie. Giving the kid a new four-and-a-half year contract is the best thing the Rangers board have done in months. A timely PR boost, the return of Josh Windass from suspension helps as well. The Englishman has pace and goals in his locker. But with Ryan Jack joining a lengthy injury list, Murty can’t afford to persevere with a 33-year-old Niko Kranjcar in midfield. The Croatian has the talent and the brain but he doesn’t have the legs to chase and harry Celtic the way Hearts did. The draw in March shows it’s not impossible to take something at Parkhead. A natural, likeable optimist, Murty will fancy his chances. But if he pulls this one off, the away fans should crowd surf the guy all the way back to Ibrox without his feet touching the ground.