Gordon Smith insists Graeme Murty can lead Rangers forward in long-term

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Glasgow Rangers interim boss Graeme Murty has enjoyed a mixed second spell in charge at Ibrox.

Gordon Smith has told The Sunday Post that he would have to disagree with those who believe that Graeme Murty is not up to the job of becoming Rangers’ permanent manager.

Murty is currently in his second spell as caretaker boss following Pedro Caixinha’s departure back in October, and it has been a mixed time for the 43-year-old – with six wins and three defeats coming in his seven games so far.

The Gers went second after back-to-back wins over Aberdeen, and he managed to achieve something that Caixinha was unable to during his time in charge as he oversaw three wins in a row – and subsequently, added a fourth win to rub salt in the Portuguese’s wounds.

However, a defeat to St Johnstone at home on Saturday saw a lot of the momentum quashed, and may well have left many of the supporters who were prepared to give Murty a chance if he got the job on a permanent basis changing their minds and willing the club to make what would perhaps be considered a safer appointment.

But Smith has insisted that Murty can be the man who takes the Light Blues forward in the long-term.

“A lot of people would have you believe Graeme Murty is not ready to lose the interim tag and simply become the Rangers manager,” he told The Sunday Post. “I don’t agree.

“He is a strong candidate for the post, someone with all the attributes required to lead the club forward in the longer term.

“And, while the same could be said of others, Murty holds a crucial advantage over his rivals, with his caretaker role until the end of the year handing him the equivalent of an ongoing audition.”

There is no question that the team appear to be in a much better place than they were during the final months of Caixinha’s tenure, but they now need to step up in the final games before the winter break if Murty is to win some of his doubters over.

Certainly, if there had not been so much uncertainty already, there may not have been too many fans who would have been disappointed had Murty been given the job until the end of the season when the club have a bit more breathing space to get the long-term appointment right – whether that be sticking with Murty or landing someone else.