Ibrox switch could lead to Scotland call for Docherty

HAMILTON midfielder Dougie Imrie has tipped Greg Docherty to make a real impact at Rangers — before emerging as a full Scotland international.

The 21-year-old Accies star, having undergone a medical, last night completed his dream £680,000 move to Ibrox to become Graeme Murty’s fifth January arrival.

While the loss is a big financial boost for cash-strapped Accies, Imrie insists it is also money well spent by Rangers and expects to see the midfielder in the Ibrox starting line-up most weeks.

‘I think Greg Docherty will do really well for Rangers,’ he said. ‘He’s got the ability to succeed at Ibrox. He just needs to believe in himself but I’m sure he will because he’s that kind of kid.

‘He’s level-headed and he will go there wanting to give it his best shot. If he does, he will be a great player for Rangers.

‘It’s a great move for Greg and a great move (financially) for Hamilton Accies. But I think his move to Rangers could be beneficial to Scotland as well a couple of years down the line.

‘I’m sure Greg wants to get on to the full international scene. He’s played for the Under-21s and will want to first break into the Rangers first team and then the Scotland squad.

‘And, if he keeps developing the way he has at Hamilton Accies, I’ve no doubts he will go on to play every week for Rangers and go on to be a Scotland international player, too.’

Imrie admits it has been a bittersweet experience to see Docherty (right) head for the exit door and along the motorway to Govan.

With Hamilton just three points above the relegation play-off place, another difficult second half of the season beckons in Lanarkshire.

But Imrie says nobody begrudges Docherty his dream move to his boyhood heroes.

‘Greg Docherty is going to be a massive loss for us,’ he admitted. ‘He’s been a fantastic servant to Hamilton Accies and will leave a massive gap in our team. But he has worked really hard, playing over 100 games here, and deserves to get his big move.

‘I’m sure everyone here wishes him all the very best at Rangers.

‘He deserves this opportunity. He has done brilliantly in whatever position he has been asked to play.

‘He has played fantastically well here and that is why he has got his move to Glasgow Rangers. Good luck to him.’

For Hamilton, life postDocherty must start with cutting out the ‘crazy mistakes’ that have left manager Martin Canning a frustrated onlooker of late.

On Wednesday, three individual errors at the back allowed Hearts to score three secondhalf goals in what had been a close-run contest until then.

‘We dominated the first half against Hearts and in the second half it was us who looked like getting the first goal,’ sighed Imrie.

‘But we made stupid errors and they killed us. We’re not giving ourselves much of a chance at the moment. At Motherwell last weekend we scored an own goal and gave away a penalty needlessly. Against Hearts, it was three mistakes and we need to cut them out. ‘It’s about decision-making. When David Templeton ran through on goal against Hearts, it could have been a different story had he slipped the ball into Darian MacKinnon, who was in a better position. But David knows that himself. ‘And, if Alex Gogic had put the ball in the stand at the first goal, Hearts would not have been 1-0 up and we would have still been in the ascendancy. ‘These decisions change games. The first goal is always so crucial in this league. Whoever scores first generally wins the game. I feel we have been the better team against Hearts three times this season and not won. When we are on top we need to punish teams. ‘But we are a team and we are all in it together. There are 11 of us and we will stick together. ‘On Saturday we have Dundee at home and it’s a good game for us to bounce back. But, if we keep making these mistakes, we will find ourselves in a tricky position in the weeks ahead.’