Graeme Murty: This is what Rangers have the chance to do v Celtic
Rangers manager Graeme Murty has admitted that his side have little chance of winning the Scottish Premiership title, and that their “aim for the season” is to close the gap on leaders Celtic.
The new permanent boss at Ibrox was quoted by the Herald as he looked ahead to the second half of the season, with the Gers currently eleven points behind the league leaders and three points behind second placed Aberdeen.
“We have a chance next week to measure ourselves against Celtic, who are the benchmark,” said Murty. “But we also have to be pushing as a football club to be at the top table. They are currently there and the team to beat. We have to make up the gap, that’s the aim for the season. It was the aim at the start and it’s still the aim.
“We must have an outstanding second half of the season. We have a cup competition to play for and we’re still in touch in the league – albeit we could be closer.
“I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about us getting close to them.”
Rangers face Celtic at Celtic Park on Saturday as Murty tries to emulate the 1-1 draw he got in March whilst in his first spell as interim manager.
Before that game he has a match against Motherwell at Ibrox on Wednesday, as Rangers aim to finish the year with a couple of good results.
Murty has had an indifferent spell since becoming Rangers interim manager in October following the sacking of Pedro Caixinha.
He has presided over two victories over Aberdeen, but defeats to the likes of St Johnstone, Dundee and Hamilton.
The Gers youth coach was recently appointed manager until the end of the season at Ibrox after Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes turned down the chance to move to Ibrox.
Murty’s first match as permanent manager didn’t go according to plan, as the Gers deservedly lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock, thanks to two goals from Kris Boyd.
In other Rangers news, Alex McLeish plans to get back into management
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