IBROX MEN ARE OVER-HYPED, SAYS MURRAY

IAN MURRAY has no fears about taking his St Mirren side to Ibrox tomorrow night because he believes too much fuss has been made about Rangers’ start to the current campaign. Nine goals in two competitive games against Hibs and Peterhead have done much to guarantee the stadium will be at close to capacity for the Championship opener. But Murray believes his Buddies are capable of derailing the Mark Warburton bandwagon by taking all three points — and will tell them they won’t be lining up against a team of superstars. Asked if the Light Blues had been over-hyped, the ex-Ibrox defender replied: ‘A little bit, but it’s not Rangers’ fault. They have just gone out and done their business and played well. ‘Anyone who goes to Easter Road and scores six is a good side. Again, on Sunday they won 3-0, played extremely well and created a lot of chances. But they are like us. They know this is where it all starts now. This is when all the talking stops and the friendly games mean absolutely zero. ‘If Rangers don’t win on Friday, then who cares if they beat Peterhead 3-0 and Hibs 6-2? It’s all about the next game. ‘We were delighted to beat Berwick 3-1 but, if we go to Ibrox and get turned over, that previous game becomes irrelevant.’ It is 15 years since Murray made his first appearance at Ibrox as a teenager with Hibs but he is more confident about going to Govan as a manager than he was back then. ‘We’re on a far more level playing field now,’ continued Murray (left). ‘As a player, we were up against some of the top players and Rangers were competing in the Champions League and UEFA Cups, and going for league titles in the top division. That is not the case anymore. ‘I don’t think we’re being given much of a chance but we genuinely feel, with what we have seen of Rangers and what we’ve seen of ourselves, that we can beat them. ‘It’s slightly tipped in Rangers’ favour because they’re at home but, in terms of the football, we think it’s a very even game.’ Murray is surprised Warburton allowed St Mirren to sign striker Calum Gallagher on Wednesday and the 20-year-old is likely to feature against his old club. ‘I was surprised at the timing of it, if I’m being honest,’ admitted Murray. ‘If it had been myself I would have probably waited for a few days, certainly until after the weekend. ‘But fair play to Rangers because they’ve gone about their business professionally and amicably — and they’ve given us a player who could, potentially, get them off to a poor start to the [league] season.’