Murty wants Rangers to be full of leaders

GRAEME MURTY insists Rangers must overcome injury absences and prove they are a team full of leaders at Celtic Park tomorrow. While the Ibrox manager is yet to rule influential midfielder Ryan Jack out of contention after he was stretchered off against Motherwell on Wednesday night, he has been without the experience of Lee Wallace, Kenny Miller and Graham Dorrans in recent

weeks. Bruno Alves will be expected to provide some authority in central defence at Parkhead, but Murty is adamant others must step forward alongside the Portugal international. The 43-year-old believes adopting the right mentality is key to Rangers’ hopes of ending a run of six defeats and a draw against their Old Firm rivals, who already hold an 11-point advantage at the top of the Premiership. ‘Nothing fazes Bruno,’ said Murty. ‘He has played in some of the biggest games in the world. So you know what you are going to get from him, in terms of his emotional stability. ‘He gives that calmness, that aura of authority. But I don’t think it’s fair to put the onus just on one person, although people can feed off that. ‘It’s up to other people to step up to that level and make sure that they lead also. And you can lead in different ways, you can lead physically, you can lead vocally, you can lead by winning a tackle. ‘There is a young man in the middle of the pitch, Ross McCrorie, who leads in a completely different way from Bruno. Ryan Jack leads in a completely different way. Wes Foderingham leads in a completely different way. We are going to need a team full of people who are capable of doing that, in their own way, to add to the collective. ‘We will have to be very focused and concentrated. We will have to be brave to get on the ball and play when opportunities present themselves.’ Rangers have reserved some of their best displays for the bigger stages since Murty replaced Pedro Caixinha in October, winning away against Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts. ‘The Old Firm itself brings a whole different mindset and a different number of challenges,’ insisted Murty, who is closing in on the appointment of an assistant. ‘But I will mention those games to the guys. ‘To go to Murrayfield, Pittodrie and Easter Road and know you can perform at a level, show different qualities at different times — it’s a question of pulling all those things together and we have to do it for 90 minutes. ‘Because if you show any weakness, frailty or indecisiveness, then Celtic have the tools and personnel to capitalise.’ Jack was replaced during the first half of the 2-0 win over Motherwell after a challenge from Cedric Kipre. The former Aberdeen captain was being assessed by the Rangers medical staff last night. ‘He’s sore and limping,’ said Murty. ‘It’s currently ice, compression and elevation and we will see how he goes. It is too early to make a judgment on whether he will make Saturday. ‘He’s a hardy guy and if he has any chance of playing, I’m sure he will put himself forward.’