It would be tough to manage a club other than Rangers, says Graeme Murty

GRAEME MURTY is unsure if he will pursue his managerial ambitions away from Rangers – because nothing compares to working at Ibrox.

The Light Blues caretaker boss is expected to take charge of the team for the final time when they face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.

The under-20s coach was placed in temporary charge after Pedro Caixinha was sacked five weeks ago.

But chairman Dave King is finally ready to make his move for a new boss, perhaps as early as Monday.

The Ibrox squad have not been short on praise for the way Murty had handled his latest stint in the Rangers hot seat and he admits he has considered making the full-time step up to first-team affairs.

But the former Reading defender says he would only walk away from Rangers if he could find a club that matches the emotional bond he has built up since joining the club’s academy 18 months ago.

Rangers caretaker boss Graeme Murty backs Carlos Pena to shine in midfield diamond

“It’s possibly increased my count of grey hairs,” Murty said, as he joked when asked if his latest stint in charge had whetted his appetite for the permanent job.

“But as for management, I don’t know where I could go that would give me the same feeling that this place does.

“Since I have come to this place I have been fascinated and not a little awestruck by the size and scale of the operation, the depth of feeling it engenders in its support and players. This is a very, very special club.

“So if I were to step into a different environment I’d have to feel that in a different way.

“But nothing compares to this place because it is singular. It’s out there on its own – so I don’t have to compare other clubs on the scale. I just have to compare the feeling I get when I walk through the door.

“That’s something I will have to take away and consider with my family in the future.

“At the moment, I’m just concentrating on the day-to-day because I have noticed people getting lost in the speculation. I can’t afford to do that.

“I’m not experienced enough to do that so I’ll just make sure I concentrate on the things the players need.”

Murty, who also took up the caretaker duties after Mark Warburton’s departure last season, has experienced mixed results this time.

His reign started with victories over Hearts and Partick Thistle before back-to-back defeats against Hamilton and Dundee ended his chances of landing the post.

However, Wednesday’s impressive 3-0 win over Aberdeen has raised spirits and Murty is determined to ensure he steps down on a high.

Another victory over Aberdeen would take Rangers level on points with the second-placed Dons, whose boss Derek McInnes is seen by many as a front-runner for the Ibrox vacancy.

Murty said: “If I walk out the door on Sunday with it having been my last match I’ll take the lessons from it and take them forward.

“But we have to make sure if it is my last game we go and give ourselves the very best chance for the football club to get a result, because it’s about the club moving forward and leaving it in as good a state as possible.”