My fate is in the players’ hands, says Murty

43-year-old has presided over eight wins and one defeat in the past nine outings ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Falkirk. Insisting such form will count for nothing in the final reckoning if the team falls away, Murty feels his fate is in the hands of his players throughout the remainder of the season. Asked how he ensures he doesn’t return to his previous role as development team manager, Murty said: ‘We do that by being brilliant from now until the end of the season. ‘I’ll tell you what, if we win every game between now and the end of the season, it will be an interesting conversation. ‘But it’s down to us making sure this isn’t the highlight of the season. Getting plaudits just now is not where we want to be. We want to be talking about how excellent we were at the end of the season when we have something to show for it.’ Previously put in charge for six games after Mark Warburton’s departure last year, Murty has already clocked up 21 games in his second spell in the hotseat. Asked how returning to the development team role would feel second time around, he replied: ‘I don’t think you will ever know until you are put in that situation. ‘I talked to Brendan (Rodgers) after the first Celtic game and he said: “You’ll know within three months whether you’re going to be a first-team manager. You’ll know whether you miss it when you go back”. I took that advice to heart. ‘But I don’t think I’ll ever know until I get put in that situation. It’s up to me and the group to do such a good job that that doesn’t come to pass. If it does, then I’ll deal with it after that.’ With a rematch against Celtic at Ibrox a week tomorrow, this could be a defining week for Murty and his players. Despite the upturn in form since the turn of the year, he stressed: ‘We have achieved nothing yet. We have made good steps, but we need to continue on this track. ‘If we do that then maybe a conversation will be due but, until that time, my thoughts on that would be premature.’ Murty hasn’t ruled out Declan John and Jamie Murphy for tomorrow’s match despite the pair suffering groin and foot injuries, while skipper Lee Wallace will be looking to get some game-time under his belt. The Ibrox boss also confirmed that talks are ongoing with Alfredo Morelos over a new deal.