Graeme Murty urges his Rangers team to raise the intensity levels for expected Aberdeen finale
Saturday 2 December 2017 15:12, UK
Graeme Murty has called on Rangers to go "above and beyond" to ensure he bows out of the Ibrox hotseat on a high.
Ranger's caretaker manager is expected to take charge of the club one last time when they visit Aberdeen on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, with chairman Dave King expected to finally make his move for Dons boss Derek McInnes early next week.
Murty has already got one up on the man who could end up becoming his superior this week after masterminding Rangers' 3-0 win over Aberdeen in Govan on Wednesday night.
But the U20s boss knows it will be a different story taking on Aberdeen in front of their own fans.
Now he has challenged his players to top whatever the fired-up Dons throw at them as they look for the win that will send them above their rivals and into second place.
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"It will be more difficult on Sunday than it was on Wednesday in different ways," said Murty.
"The players need to get to the levels they got to on Wednesday in terms of their work rate and their commitment to winning battles and go from there.
"That has to be our minimum standard. We are expecting Aberdeen to be at the top of their game.
"What we have to do is prep our players as if that will be the case, because I'm sure the Aberdeen players and staff won't be happy with that result.
"Their manager called it a sore one, so we have to expect a response.
"What we have to do when we walk out at Pittodrie is go above and beyond their levels of intensity but marry it to a calm head."
Ryan Jack's composure is certain to be tested when the former Aberdeen skipper returns to his old stomping ground.
He was targeted for abuse from the travelling support in midweek but lapped up his new side's win as he thumped the Rangers badge on his jersey at the final whistle.
"I thought Ryan handled the situation very, very well at Ibrox," Murty said. "He showed why we wanted him at this club and set himself up for hopefully a very good afternoon on Sunday.
"I'm not concerned about his level of calmness."
