Gers boss Murty says his fate is for others to decide

Rangers manager Graeme Murty says the club are already putting plans in place for next season – regardless of whether he will still be in charge.

The former under-20s boss saw his hopes of landing the first-team job permanently suffer a blow earlier this month following the double setback of defeats against Celtic and Kilmarnock.

Former Light Blues stars Ally McCoist and Barry Ferguson have called on chairman Dave King to spell out his plans for the manager’s position soon or risk uncertainty affecting Murty’s squad.

But the current incumbent is remaining relaxed despite the clock ticking towards the end of the season, when his stint in charge is due to end.

“The plans have already started for whether I’m here or not,” Murty said.

“The plans are bigger than one person. The plans have started for preseason, for recruitment, for all the things that a top-class football team should be looking towards. Those processes are already in place.

“So I don’t have to worry about my job, my position. It’s not about me. It’s about making sure we move forward and I believe we are moving forward.

“The decision on whether I will be taking the next step won’t be for me to control. It will be someone else.

“I’m comfortable with the situation. If the job I do is good enough, I’ll get a reward. If not, we’ll have to move on.”

The Ibrox faithful had been gripped by excited expectation in the build-up to this month’s Old Firm showdown.

But their hopes of recording a first victory over Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic were snuffed out as the 10-man Hoops fought back for a 3-2 win.

The drained Rangers squad were then unable to lift themselves for the visit of Kilmarnock a week later, but Murty insists he and his team are refreshed following the international break and determined to bounce back away to Motherwell today.

Murty has been boosted by Graham Dorrans, Ross McCrorie and Jordan Rossiter returning from injury for the Fir Park trip, but skipper Lee Wallace has suffered a slight setback in his bid to shake off a groin problem.

Well striker Nadir Ciftci has been ruled out with an ankle knock but is confident of making Tuesday’s clash with Aberdeen.

Midfielder Allan Campbell is a fitness doubt after picking up a knock on Scotland Under-21 duty but Cedric Kipre is available after overturning his red card against Celtic and Liam Grimshaw is closing in on a return from a groin problem.

● Fourth-placed Hibs entertain Partick Thistle, while Kilmarnock take on Hamilton at Rugby Park.