Walter Smith has backed Graeme Murty to be Rangers’ manager on a permanent basis as long as he proves he can handle the pressure that comes with it.
The legendary former Gers manager shared that if Murty goes and wins the next two Old Firm derbies that are set to happen before the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s clash, he deserves the job on a permanent basis.
“Managers are not always great at picking other managers, we should probably leave that to the board members,” said Smith in an interview with the Daily Record.
“But when Graeme took the job he had nothing to lose and it’s the same going into these games.
“If he goes and wins them then why wouldn’t he deserve the job on a full-time basis?
“He has shown he has settled into the job, that hasn’t been a problem.”
“But between now and the end of the season he’ll have to show that he can handle that aspect of it and the pressure that comes with it.
“If he can handle all these things then why not?”
The Light Blues are set to play the Hoops on Sunday at Ibrox and Smith revealed that his former side simply have to win the game.
OPINION
Murty is set to be in charge until the end of the season, and has proven himself to be a decent manager at the club. Rangers were in a mess ahead of him taking over from Pedro Caixinha, but his side now look capable of beating Brendan Rodgers’ team on Sunday. While Smith insists that the Gers must win the game against the Hoops, an admirable performance could still be enough to keep Murty as manager. Rangers know that next season they have real chance of winning the Scottish Premier League as long as they start the season strong, and changing manager again, will stop them from doing that.