SCOTTISH SOCCER: Rangers look to get back on track against St Johnstone

The Interim manager has watched his side lose two games to Dundee and Inverness.

On Wednesday night the Light Blues will welcome Tommy Wright’s St. Johnstone to Govan desperate to get back to winning ways after a run of just one win in the past seven League games.

If that statistic is unacceptable so too is the fact that incredibly Rangers have conceded the opening goal in each of their last five outings - underlining just how much work the new manager - whoever he may be and whenever he might be appointed - will have to get to grips with.

Murty has suffered his fair share of criticism in the past ten days over negative results – but the acting manager remained focused on the task in hand.

“It’s a personal standard that I have for myself. I hate losing and love winning.

“I am very tenacious, I work extremely hard and before I go into every game I am fully prepared for what the game is going to bring. Nothing has changed from the minute I started coaching – it’s about making sure the players excel.

“If I felt I wasn’t being impactful with the players, then I would feel more than comfortable going to the board and saying ‘you need to replace me.’

“As it happens, the board have been fantastically supportive, and all they are asking me again is ‘can we help you and is there anything we can do?’

Graeme was adamant that – despite the identical result – there was a significant improvement in performance from Dens Park to the Caledonian Stadium.

“If you look at the Inverness game following on from Dundee, there was a definite impact, and the players responded really, really well.

“There was an improvement in our performance levels. I reiterate however, we need to make sure we get points on the board so that people recognise this

“The players have given themselves a target – to finish second and win the Cup Final.

“I think those targets are realistic, specific to the players and I think they can attain them. It’s going to take hard work - but I still think those things are there to be achieved.

“All they can do is concentrate on winning and getting three points.“

Murty again would not be drawn on the identity of any assistance he is receiving in his caretaker capacity.

“There are a group of people who have been made accessible to me by the board for advice and for mentorship, and they will remain private as it’s not down to me to reveal their names.”

Meanwhile the search goes on for new appointments at Ibrox.

“I’ve been told the process is ongoing and someone will be appointed. We have to respect the club’s wishes and make sure that they get it right. I think if we appoint quickly, and get it wrong, then it would be much more damaging.”