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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

The Rangers manager mindset ahead of Celtic revealed as ex boss insists there ain't no time for 'shrinking violets'

Gio van Bronckhorst's mind will be "whirring" as he approaches Ibrox for his first derby clash as Rangers boss claims Graeme Murty.

The Dutchman will be familiar with the atmosphere from his playing days when Celtic cross the city divide, but former caretaker Murty reckons it's a different feeling when you are manager.

Van Bronckhorst 's first derby day at Celtic Park ended in a 3-0 defeat, and with the Premiership title hanging in the balance he will be desperate to put it right on Sunday.

Murty explained to Sky Sports that the crowd could be the deciding factor against Ange Postecoglou 's men.

He said: "You still get the goosebumps (when you approach Ibrox) because it's such an iconic place.

"But when you are in charge of the performance that is about to come you are thinking about so many things.

"You are thinking about how you want to present yourself to the media, and how you want to present yourself to the players.

"Then about all the things that are going to happen during the game and how you'll react to them.

"So, instead of being able to drink it in and enjoy the stadium, I just remember my mind whirring and whirring because I wanted to be ready if there were any challenges I hadn't foreseen.

"More than anything else it's a depth of emotion that gets to you. It's something that is a privilege to have, it's not something that gives you trepidation. It's not something that puts you on the back foot.

"Once you use that stadium to give you a lift it can be massive for the players and the coaching staff."

(Daily Record - Tony Nicoletti)

Back in April 2018, Murty oversaw a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic which handed the league title to Rangers' rivals.

The former Ibrox stand-in admits that he still feels the pain from that result, but insists the Rangers boss has to stand-up and be counted the following Monday at training.

Reflecting on the hammering at Celtic Park, he said: "It's extremely difficult, because you know the way the fixtures are set up and it was bound to happen that they could win it on that day with us being there.

"Once again you try and go there as a proud Rangers employee and Rangers manager. Any defeat isn't seen to be good enough, because the expectation is so high.

"But particularly with the heightened emotions of the Old Firm game it's more difficult for fans to take.

"You are faced with the challenges of what comes after. You may lose your role, or people may lose faith in you; you have to have broad shoulders to work in this role. You have to take the knocks and come back again.

"There is no point in being a shrinking violet. Obviously it hurts you personally, it can hurt you emotionally, but you have to be the figurehead of the club and stand up."

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