Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers have a massive game on Sunday, but has Dave King jeopardised success with an ill-timed statement?
Earlier on Monday, Rangers chairman Dave King effectively confirmed that Graeme Murty will not be retained as manager beyond the end of this season.
In his statement via STV, King all but revealed that the 43-year-old would not be considered for the permanent role at Ibrox, after replacing Pedro Caixinha on a short-term deal in December.
King said: “On the managerial front I emphasise that the board fully recognises the need for sustained stability in this area of the club. Whoever is appointed must be able to meet the unique challenges of managing Rangers and ensuring immediate success.
“It is a priority that we commence next season with the best appointment we can make and that we move forward rapidly.”
But Rangers are six days away from a Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic at Hampden Park – their biggest game for years – and you wonder if King’s comments were horrendously mistimed.
By virtue of the fact that the Gers have won 17 of their 26 games under Murty, he is clearly a popular figure among the playing staff and one has boosted morale significantly, but morale might plummet at the worst possible time as a result of the statement.
Beating Celtic – who would go within 90 minutes of a historic double treble by defeating Murty’s side – is already a big ask, but you could argue that it’s a task made more difficult now by the distinct possibility that the players know even a victory would not save their manager.
Ahead of a game like this, Rangers need all the motivation that they can muster, but has King just given the players one less reason to go out and win?
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