Gers’ success is down to smart thinking
MARK WARBURTON must feel like he’s going back to the future when he wears his Rangers’ blazer and club tie.
The Ibrox manager believes being immaculately turned out helped him win his first title in football when he was only 21-years-old.
Rangers could have a 20-point lead at the top of the Championship by the time their nearest rivals are back in action.
The Light Blues play Morton and Falkirk on successive Fridays, while Hibs are involved in next weekend’s League Cup Final.
Taking maximum points would leave the Light Blues potentially just three victories from clinching top spot.
It is 33 years since Warburton was a member of the Enfield squad that won the Football Conference in 1983.
The attention to detail that helped the club to success has lived with the Englishman ever since.
He said: “What I remember is that we had grey blazers, with the crest on the badge, collar and tie – we looked smart.
“When we turned up for games we were 1-0 up when we got off the coach because we looked so good. “It’s small details. “We had some good players such as Tony Jennings and Keith Barrett and we took over when we went to away grounds.
“We had a great physio and everything about the place was organised.
“The players were sharp and we delivered the goods on the park.
“That’s why I think it’s important to maintain high standards here at Rangers.
“People under-estimate what that brings you.
“We represent a very big club and we should play our part in keeping those standards high.
“I’m not sure if I have my winner’s medal from that title. My mum might have it somewhere in a box.”
Life was very different for the 53-year-old during his Enfield days.
He went on: “It was great but we were parttime players who would train Tuesday and a Thursday night.
“I would get back from Barrow on a Wednesday morning at 4am to go in for a shift at the bank straight away.
“I’d have a shower there at 5.30am with no sleep.
“That was it, it was normal for the players and guys who worked in the docks.”
Warburton remains cautious when he assesses his chances of leading Rangers to the Championship title.
He said: “At the moment we’ve won nothing. There’s still 27 points to play for.
“If we were 14 ahead with five games to go I’d be a lot more relaxed.”