Warburton drops hints Wallace is frontrunner for captain
Manager lists leadership qualities that could see full-back wearing armband
MARK WARBURTON stressed yesterday he will take his time to weigh up the options available to him before announcing the long-term successor to Lee McCulloch as Rangers captain as he prepared for his first competitive match in charge.
Yet, his enthusiastic remarks about Lee Wallace, who donned the skipper’s armband in the pre-season friendly against Burnley at Ibrox on Tuesday evening, ahead of the Petrofac Training Cup game with Hibs today strongly suggest the left-back will assume the role permanently. McCulloch shouldered the considerable responsibility for three years before being freed when his contract expired in the summer and moving on to Ladbrokes Premiership club Kilmarnock to become a player/coach.
Whatever the Rangers supporters thought of the 37-year-old’s abilities as a player – and towards the end of his turbulent eight-year tenure last season that was often not a great deal – he was an influential presence both on and off the field at the Govan club. Selecting his permanent successor will be hugely important to how successful Warburton, whose assistant is the revered former Rangers captain Davie Weir, is during his time in Scotland.
The former City of London trader is well aware of the pressures which will be on his charges at his new club and appreciates that promoting a player who is unprepared for the myriad demands of the position could adversely affect their form.
Kenny Miller, the experienced striker who is in his third spell as a player at Ibrox, is a strong contender as is Danny Wilson, the centre-half who returned on a free transfer during the close season, who lifted the Championship trophy with Hearts last season. Warburton, though, has been impressed with the contribution of Wallace, the former Scotland internationalist who was vice-captain and captain in the absence of McCulloch, since taking over and implied he had all the attributes.
“I am looking at the options,” he said. “I’ve been impressed by Lee, really delighted with him. I didn’t know him before I came here, but I can’t praise him highly enough for the way he has applied himself, the way he has trained and the example he has set to the younger players. His commitment in meetings is good. He always speaks up and gives his opinion.
“It is a big responsibility and sometimes players want to focus on their own game. To perform week in, week out with that blue shirt on and to play at Ibrox is a big challenge in itself.
“Sometimes adding the captaincy to that is a bridge too far too soon for some players. In Lee’s case, he has been magnificent. He has relished the responsibility and we will see how it goes from here.
“It’s just about dialogue in terms of deciding who will be captain. You need to talk to the players from day one. My door is always open. If they want to come and chat, they can.
“I’ve had a chat with Lee, Kenny Miller and some other players about Tuesday night, about training and about new ideas. When we are doing set pieces, what has worked for those guys in the past also comes into it. They have played international football and the more feedback you can get from them, the better it is.”
Warburton could hardly have been handed a more demanding opening game as Rangers manager; his side will take on opponents who finished ahead of them in the Championship last term and who are expected to be their main contenders for the second tier title away from home.
He brought in four of his new recruits – Andy Halliday, James Tavernier, Martyn Waghorn and Holt – in the last seven days and stressed to supporters they will need time to improve their fitness and sharpness and gel as a unit.
Still, the former Brentford manager is well aware that any domestic defeat is unacceptable to the followers of his new club and is adamant they are, despite only playing in three matches against Spurs, Ayr United and Burnley, ready for this outing.
“It’s come early,” he said. “It’s game four in the preparation, but we’re going strong. I’m looking forward to it. I’m not saying this in an arrogant or disrespectful way, but we’re Rangers Football Club and we have to look forward to every game and be the best we can be in every game.
“I wasn’t really bothered who we drew in the game, I’m just looking forward to it. It’s a tournament game and we want to win it. It’s as simple as that.
“The players have now been with us a few days and are bedding in nicely and we look forward to the game. Our message to the players is: send the fans home happy, home and away.
“We have to set a standard for ourselves and maintain it every week. It’s not good enough to have one good performance then be inconsistent. We’ve got to recognise the levels we have to attain week in, week out.
“People tell me that it’s great to play at Ibrox but at some of the away grounds it’s not so easy. I don’t think any game’s easy. But at home or away, they should pull the blue shirt on, enjoy the challenge and be the best they can be.”