Rangers boss Mark Warburton hails Hearts' decision to name Ian Cathro as manager

Rangers boss Mark Warburton has praised Hearts' bravery in appointing Ian Cathro as manager - and the new boss for accepting the challenge.

The 30-year-old is Jambos owner Ann Budge's bold choice to lead the Tynecastle outfit forward and Warburton has applauded the move.

Former St Mirren midfielder Jamie Fullarton and Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd have both questioned whether Cathro - who has never played at a serious level - has the leadership skills needed to become a top boss.

But Warburton - who will be in the opposite dugout when Cathro takes charge of Hearts for the first time at Ibrox on Saturday - believes the ex-Valencia and Newcastle coach deserves the chance to prove himself.

He said: "I don't know who's pointing fingers. I've not heard that. I think people are pleased to see it.

"I'm delighted to see the appointment. I think it's brave on his part and a brave call by Hearts.

"He's a young coach but he's very knowledgeable and demonstrated that to a number of people in the game.

"He's got a lot of confidence to come and do this job and I'm sure a lot of ability too.

"I'm pleased to see him get his chance and I'll wish him well - but only after this weekend."

Like Cathro, the Rangers manager does not have an extensive playing CV to fall back on after he failed to make the grade at Leicester.

But after carving out his own career in management after starting off by turning his back on a lucrative City job to join Watford's youth academy, Warburton thinks there is a place for coaches with a different perspective on life.

"The game is changing," he said. "The players coming through are far more inquisitive and more knowledgeable about the game, so it's more about man management now.

"It's about creating the right environment for players to develop, so you can come from a different background and put your knowledge and experience into place here.

"I came through the academy system and was lucky enough to build my way up.

"My first taste of working with the first-team itself came at Brentford. I got a call from the chairman at 1am to say the manager had left and asking if I could take training the next day.

"That was it. The first thing I did was jump on the PC to check the players' names as I didn't know them all.

"But whatever job you do you want to find yourself in an environment that you can develop in. Players want to leave the building at the end of the day having enjoyed their work. If you can create that environment then you are in a good place.

"If you can speak to the players in an OK manner, then they will have you. Players are intelligent and they know what they need to get better. They are not arrogant or ignorant, they just want to make sure they are organised and enjoy their sessions."

Meanwhile, Warburton does not believe Joey Barton's ill-fated signing will hamper his bid to lure other top players to Ibrox.

Barton lasted just eight games before he was axed following a training-ground bust-up with the Light Blues boss.

But despite the angry fall-out, the former England midfielder told BBC Radio 5Live on Wednesday he would still make the move north given the choice again.

Warburton was pleased to hear Barton speaking so positively about his former club and insists other big names can still be tempted to make the same switch to Govan.

He said: "It's a big club. It's not about Joey or myself. Rangers is a magnificent club, a fantastic football institution.

"You had to be at Ibrox on Saturday to see that atmosphere and feel it around that magnificent football stadium.

"There is no doubt there is huge selling points to Rangers, so we're always delighted to hear that.

"We're not going to outbid big clubs down south for players in terms of the financial aspect, but we can demonstrate what Rangers has to offer in terms of the training complex, an iconic stadium and a magnificent support with 50,000 fans, so there's a lot to enjoy about Rangers.

"Are we still capable of signing someone of Joey's calibre? Absolutely, no doubt."