Stuart McCall says he's with Rangers for the long-haul
If he is successful in transforming the Light Blues and leading them through the play-offs, he also hopes to land the manager’s job permanently.
McCall answered an SOS from interim chairman Paul Murray on Wednesday to take over the team until the end of the season.
And the former Motherwell boss got straight to work by calling the payers in to Murray Park for an afternoon training season yesterday as Kenny McDowall left the club. Rangers sit five points behind second-top Hibs and have won just once in their last five games.
McCall said: “It’s a gamble and a massive challenge but it’s an opportunity I never thought I’d get and I had to take it.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be asked to come and help out until the end of the season.
“There have only been 13 managers in about 124 years so for me to be given the opportunity is beyond belief. Taking Rangers up would be my greatest achievement.”
The 50-year-old added: “The only things that matter are getting into the play-offs, where we will either play four or six games.
“The aim will be to get back playing winning football, to get confidence back, with the fans on our side, everyone together and building momentum.
“Then you can go into the play-offs in good fettle.
Newspaper Review - Thursday 12 March
All I ask of each player is that you be a good team-mate between now and the end of the season
Stuart McCall
“All I ask of each player is that you be a good team-mate between now and the end of the season. If you are in the side, brilliant, try to keep your place. If you are on the bench and you get a chance, get in and get it.
“If you’re not in the squad, go out on the training park and show me what you can do. Go out and get yourself a jersey.”
McCall, who spoke to McDowall yesterday before taking the job, never believed he would be manager of Rangers.
However, now that has been given the role, he would love to land it on a permanent basis.
He said: “I have knocked back three or four other opportunities.
“I took the call right out of the blue to come and meet Rangers and the offer was there.
“There’s nothing concrete about what will happen if I do achieve promotion.”
Meanwhile, it was confirmed McDowall had left the club.
Murray said: “Kenny worked under extremely challenging circumstances in recent months but he always gave everything he could to try to secure results for the football club. He will always be welcome here.”
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