By support

6th Jan, 2018 | 3:15pm

'Very best' – Derek Johnstone delivers verdict on Jimmy Nicholl at Rangers

Former Rangers striker Derek Johnstone believes the appointment of Jimmy Nicholl as the club’s assistant manager will help Graeme Murty get the “very best” out of the Gers squad.
Nicholl completed his return to Ibrox after almost 30 years away from Rangers when he left his role as Paul Hartley’s assistant at Falkirk to link up with Graeme Murty.
The 61-year-old is no stranger to Ibrox after two stints as a player in the 1980s – as well as growing up a fan of the club in Belfast – and Johnstone thinks it’s a shrewd move from the Gers to bring the experienced Northern Irishman into the fold at Rangers.
“I was pleased to see that Jimmy Nicholl had been appointed as assistant manager at Ibrox this week,” Johnstone said, as quoted by the Evening Times.
“Jimmy has obviously played for Rangers before and appreciates exactly what is required at the Ibrox club. But he knows how to get the very best out of players.
“He is not the type of character who will just bawl and scream at players either. He is the sort of individual who will put an arm around their shoulders when it is required as well. He will help them to perform.
“He is a larger-than-life personality who can lift a group of players with a bit of laughter and fun when the time is right. He is also a very good coach as well and is serious when he needs to be.
“Jimmy has been there and done it both as a player and as a manager and his experience will be invaluable for Graeme Murty. I think it is a wonderful move.”
Nicholl is also part of Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill’s coaching staff and was in the dugout as the province surprised everyone at the European Championship in France in 2016 as well as during the recently concluded World Cup qualifying campaign.
The 61-year-old has a long managerial an coaching career and famously lifted the Scottish League Cup with Raith Rovers in 1994 after a penalty shoot-out win over Celtic at Ibrox.
After lifting the League Cup, Nicholl almost led the Fife club to an unlilely win over Bayern Munich in Germany when they led the Bundesliga giants 1-0 at half-time in the Olympic Stadium.
In other Rangers transfer news, Rangers are battling a Championship club for the signature of this 12-goal striker.
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