Rangers planning ahead despite uncertain future, says Murty
Graeme Murty's contract is up in the summer - but he says preparation is underway for next term
Rangers manager Graeme Murty says plans are already being put in place for next season - despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Two defeats on the bounce earlier this month to Celtic and Kilmarnock for the former under-20s boss saw his hopes of landing the first-team job permanently suffer a blow.
Former Gers stars Ally McCoist and Barry Ferguson have both called on chairman Dave King to spell out his plans for the manager's position soon or risk uncertainty affecting Murty's squad.
But the current incumbent is remaining relaxed despite the clock ticking towards the end of the season, when his stint in charge is due to end.
"The plans have already started for whether I'm here or not,'' Murty said. The plans are bigger than one person.
"The plans have started for pre-season, for recruitment, for all the things that a top-class football team should be looking towards. Those processes are already in place.
"So I don't have to worry about my job, my position. It's not about me. It's about making sure we move forward and I believe we are moving forward.
"The decision on whether I will be taking the next step won't be for me to control. It will be someone else.
"I'm comfortable with the situation. If the job I do is good enough, I'll get a reward. If not, we'll have to move on.''
The Ibrox faithful had been gripped by excited expectation in the build-up to this month's Old Firm showdown.
But their hopes of recording a first victory over Brendan Rodgers' Celtic were snubbed out as the 10-man Hoops fought back for a 3-2 win.
The drained Rangers squad were then unable to lift themselves for the visit of Kilmarnock a week later, but Murty insists he and his team are refreshed following the international break and determined to bounce back away to Motherwell on Saturday.
He said: "Yeah, definitely, (I was flat after those two defeats). But I feel good this week. It's been a really good week, I've really enjoyed it.
"I've enjoyed the energy from the players and their focus." spending time with the families was a positive for us.
"Getting away from it was good, getting some head space and spending time with the families was a positive for us.
"Everyone has used it in the right manner and come back in a really good mindset.
"For me as a manager and a person it was important to get that time away. But now I want them to take that focus into the Saturday's game.
"People outside this club started talking up the different challenges which we tried to contain. We didn't manage that.
"We've now been knocked back a couple of pegs but that won't stop the forward momentum of this club as we look to get back to where we want to be.''
Murty has been boosted by Graham Dorrans, Ross McCrorie and Jordan Rossiter returning from injury for the Fir Park trip, but skipper Lee Wallace has suffered a slight setback in his bid to shake off a groin problem