Titlerace willgoto thewire saysRoss
HIGHLAND
important that the fans can relate to at least one of the coaches in some way while they are still building up their own opinions on the new coach. “I know in that respect the jury is still out among some Rangers supporters. That’s natural when someone comes in and results are a little bit up and down initially. “But he came in last season and inherited a lot of stuff he felt needed changing which he has started to do. So it would be unfair to judge Pedro on what you saw last season. “This is more towards his team now that he’s made signings over the summer. The European exit was obviously a big disappointment but slowly but surely the last couple of results – drawing with Marseille and beating Watford – people are starting to feel a little bit more positive.”
How positive those fans feel going into next week’s curtainraiser against Motherwell at Fir Park could depend on how Gers do against Bullen’s team tomorrow.
He said: “The big attraction of this game is the atmosphere and the size of the support Rangers will bring which makes it a spectacle. Too many pre-season games are played when the stadium is 25 per cent full.
“So it’s brilliant for the players of both sides to come to a nice traditional stadium and play in front of a big crowd one week before the season kicks off.
“Rangers had a good result against Watford behind closed doors but to come to Hillsborough in front of a big crowd helps to prepare players with regards to the mindset they’ll need at Motherwell, which is not an easy place to start your season.” GRAEME MURTY has hailed Pedro Caixinha after the Rangers boss followed through with his vow to give youth a chance at Ibrox.
Caixinha introduced Myles Beerman, David Bates and Aidan Wilson to his first team last season.
This term Ross McCrorie and Jordan Thompson have both featured in Gers’ pre-season clashes.
U-20s coach Murty told RangersTV: “The manager told the players, ‘If you’re doing it for the 20s then I will look at you. You’ll come round, train with my lot and if you’re doing it then I have no hesitation in throwing you in’.
“That has got to be a real boost to their confidence.”