The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ibrox win restores pride after Old Firm humiliation
RANGERS 1 KILMARNOCK 0
Rangers caretaker boss Jimmy Nicholl says he would love to be part of Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox restoration project.
The Northern Irishman was put in charge of the Light Blues following Graeme Murty’s sacking on Tuesday.
He masterminded Saturday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock but admits he does not know if he will still be on the payroll by the time former Liverpool skipper Gerrard officially takes up his position on June 1.
But with the incoming boss vowing to clear out any member of his squad who does not have the required fight and hunger to take on Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering Celtic, Nicholl admits he is keen to hang about and see what Gerrard is capable of.
Asked if he would like to work with the 37-year-old Champions League winner, Nicholl said: “Of course, you expect things are going to be on the up and up.
“They have got to. The team have got to start winning games, they have got to start achieving things.
“We have got to stop Celtic winning the league, we know that. How long that’s going to take the new manager to get that turned around we don’t know. ”
Nicholl – who served two spells as a player at Ibrox during the 1980s – was lured back to his former club in January by Murty.
But if this week’s trips to Aberdeen and Hibernian are to be his farewell tour, the 61-year-old will not complain.
“I had two-and-a-half months with Falkirk and the board there were kind enough to give me the opportunity to come here for six months,” he said.
“The only situation was to see how Graeme got on and if Graeme was in a good position to get the job then he might have kept me on.
“It hasn’t worked out and nothing has been said so far about next season.
“I just think I am lucky to still be in the game. If anything happens in the future then great.”
Murty was sacked in the wake of last weekend’s humiliating 5-0 drubbing by Celtic but Nicholl was pleased to see his men respond.
Hamburg-bound David Bates marked his return from two months out injured by heading home Sean Goss’ deep free-kick late on.
“I asked for a response and we got it,” said Nicholl. “There’s a way to lose games and the way we lost the last two against Celtic wasn’t great. “They restored a wee bit of pride.” The Ibrox men now travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen on Tuesday night before finishing off their campaign away to Hibs next Sunday.
And Nicholl says clinching second spot and a Europa League ticket would be the best way to make an impression on Gerrard.
Speaking after Bates’ 85th-minute winner pushed Gers to within a point of the Dons, Nicholl said: “I told them, me and Jonatan Johansson have got three games in charge and after Hibs next Monday I’ll be away probably.
“I’m standing there as a supporter now. I’m not standing there as a man of any authority.
“So sort it out. Give yourselves a chance in these three games to have the manager looking forward to working with you.
“He’ll do a bit of weeding – he’ll get the weeds sorted out from the flowers.
“I want to leave him a legacy of European football at least – and by doing that, that means they’ve performed and he’s happy with what he’s seen.”
Killie have now lost three games on the bounce following the split.
However, defender Greg Taylor is determined to ensure his side end their remarkable season on a high.
Taylor – whose team face a midweek trip to Celtic Park before taking on Hearts at home on Sunday – said: “It’s frustration as no one likes losing games and we’ve lost three in a row now.
“We want that rot to stop so we’ll look forward to Parkhead on Wednesday. “I don’t think motivation is the issue. “If you can’t get motivated for coming to places like Ibrox, Easter Road and Celtic Park then what game can you get up for?