It’s business and pleasure now for new boy Docherty
GREG DOCHERTY is a footballer. And a Rangers fan. It’s important to get those facts in the right order. Because, yes, the former Hamilton Accies midfielder was undoubtedly living the dream in his first training session with his new club at Auchenhowie yesterday. For almost a decade-and-a-half, the Milngavie boy has been passing the gates of the Rangers training complex en route to work with the Accies. But the 21-year-old, a £680,000 signing, was not just attracted by a lifelong affection for his new club. He sees this as a smart career move — with football a key motivation. Confessing that his daily commute had taken him past the training HQ of his boyhood heroes since he signed with Hamilton as a schoolkid, Docherty said: ‘The (car) indicator came on today and that was a nice feeling. ‘I had been waiting to do that for a long time. For it to happen was really good. ‘It is massive, of course, because my family are all (Rangers) fans. It means a great deal for me to be here — and to them as well. ‘But I think I am here because it is the perfect platform for me to go and develop, regardless of the fact I support the club. ‘The decision was purely made for footballing reasons. I think it is the right place for me to kick on. ‘I have been reading the manager’s comments of late and, speaking to (director of football) Mark Allen. There is a plan. I was desperate to be part of that plan. I was sold on Rangers straight away. ‘Obviously, I am a supporter. But on the football side of things, Rangers are going up — and I want to be part of that. ‘The facilities are very good. Training today was of a really good standard and the boys have been great with me so far.’ The warm welcome didn’t extend to any leeway when it came to tackling the new boy, with Jordan Rossiter sending Docherty flying straight from the off. ‘Yeah, it was a “welcome-to-Rangers” tackle,’ he said with a grin. ‘I’m not used to sliding tackles in training because of training on the Astroturf (at Accies). I have to up my reaction speed a wee bit! ‘No, it was a great tackle, I can’t complain. You don’t have time to get yourself bedded in at Rangers. I think you need to go straight away.’ The idea that Docherty might not make it to Rangers undoubtedly crossed his mind more than once during his development years. To be blunt, there were times when even playing any grade of senior football seemed a long shot for a youngster prone to losing the rag without much provocation. Revealing how the wise coaching heads at Hamilton had curbed his enthusiasm, he admitted: ‘They had a few strong words. A couple of times, I thought about chucking in the towel. But that comes down to my parents telling me: “Look, there’s a bigger picture here. It’s going to be tough”. ‘Frankie McAvoy and George Cairns were the two coaches (at Hamilton). They looked after me very well. ‘George still looks after me. He looked after me right up until I left Accies. He was the man I would go to for guidance. Frankie was as well. He texted me when the move went through to say well done. ‘I’ve been through a good, tough school at Hamilton. They taught me well. Mentally, I feel as if I’m prepared to take the next step at Rangers.’ For all his obvious talents, the fact that Docherty needs no introduction to the demands of life at the Ibrox club must help. In common with an increasing number, either on the playing side or on the coaching staff, he has the club in his blood. It’s something that has stood previous generations of first teams rather well. ‘I think it is if you get a good mix, and I now believe we have that here,’ he added. ‘There is already a good bunch of Scottish boys, which I think is important. Even from being here today, I realised the guys know everything that Rangers is about.’ With head coach Graeme Murty stressing the potential for something spectacular just over the horizon, any new signing at Rangers could be forgiven a little daydreaming about the future. The next group of Light Blues to win a senior honour are surely destined to have a special place in the history of the club. ‘I think so,’ agreed Docherty. ‘Obviously silverware is important. At Rangers Football Club, you need to win silverware. That is what you will be judged on. ‘The team are doing well just now, it was a very good result (the 2-0 home win over Aberdeen) the other night, so it’s going to be difficult to get in the team. ‘But that’s exciting. It’s a project here and I am really glad to be a part of it.’ Meanwhile, defender Danny Wilson has undergone a medical with Colorado Rapids as he considers a move to the American club. The 26-year-old is in the final few months of his Ibrox contract having re-joined Rangers in 2015. Wilson left the club for Liverpool in 2010 and returned after spells at Blackpool, Bristol City and Hearts. Colorado Rapids play in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference and open their 2018 campaign in March.