By support

3rd Mar, 2018 | 9:48am

Championship manager: Rangers success down to arrival of this unsung hero in January

Falkirk manager and former Celtic star Paul Hartley has put Rangers’ recent good form down to the acquisition of one Gers signings from the January window.

Jimmy Nicholl arrived at Ibrox from the Scottish Premier League side and it appears to have had the desired effect with the Light Blues enjoying a surge in form.

The Bairns travel to Glasgow to face Rangers on Sunday in the Scottish Cup, and speaking ahead of the game in The Scottish Sun, Hartley heaped praise on the club’s former coach, who he believes is key to the Gers fine form and said: “We were sorry to lose Jimmy to Rangers, but it was an offer he couldn’t turn down.

“He went with our best wishes and I’m not surprised at the impact he’s had.

“Jimmy’s influence there shouldn’t be underestimated.

“He’s a great personality to have around any club, but he’s also a great coach out on the training ground.

“He won’t be slow in telling players if they aren’t doing what he wants.

“I do believe that, along with Graeme, his presence will be a big reason for Rangers’ form.

Football Insider verdict:

It would be difficult to argue with Hartley here, given that his arrival does seem to have coincided with a boost to the club’s title hopes, and there seems to be an incredible camaraderie developing at the club. Despite the host of arrivals in the winter window, it hasn’t taken long for them to integrate with the rest of the squad. Players thrive on having big personalities around, and ones that will praise you when you’re doing well and shoot you down if you’re not performing – something that Nicholl does – so it is no surprise to see them flying in the SPL at the moment. They will hope to feed off Nicholl’s spirit going into next weekend’s Old Firm derby against Celtic where their title hopes will prosper or flop.

In other Rangers news, Sky Sports pundit destroys one ‘ludicrous’ Rangers signing.