Rangers captain Lee Wallace says manager Mark Warburton their best recent signing
Thursday 7 November 2019 13:16, UK
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has been the club's best signing of late, according to captain Lee Wallace.
The penalty shoot-out defeat of rivals Celtic last weekend means they will a domestic treble if they can defeat Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final on May 21 and Wallace was keen to praise Warburton and his assistant, David Weir.
The manager has been the best signing we've made in a number of years, both he and Davie Weir," Wallace told Sky Sports Scotland.
"Davie was probably one of the best signings as a player so to have him back as a coach is just great.
"Everyone knew the quality that the manager brought from Brentford - he done a wonderful job down there with a smaller club. He took them from League one almost to the Premier League.
"He maybe had to come to Scotland to a big club and change the way we play. We were in a dark place last season and we had a lot to prove. The manager has stepped up and achieved great things, it's been a season we've all enjoyed as players."
The contribution of Wallace to Gers' impressive season has also been acknowledged, with the skipper one of four nominees - along with teammate Martyn Waghorn and Hibernian duo Jason Cummings and John McGinn - for the PFA Championship Player of the Year award. The skipper one of four nominees - along with teammate Martyn Waghorn and Hibernian duo Jason Cummings and John McGinn
"It's a great honour that you're nominated by the players you're up against every week, I feel we could have had a number of players on the short list, we've had outstanding performances throughout the team this season," added Wallace.
"I voted for Jason Cummings, his record is great. He's really come on as a player.
"His all round game has improved greatly. He's always a danger so I felt he derived my nomination [players cannot vote for anyone in their own team]."
As far as the Scottish Cup final is concerned, Wallace insists Gers' 3-2 defeat to Hibs in the league in midweek will have no bearing on the Hampden final.
"You can't read into Wednesday's result to give you any indication of how the Scottish Cup Final will go between the two sides, it's a completely different occasion," he said.
"It's says a lot for the standard of the Championship that it's two sides from the league contesting the Scottish Cup Final.
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"Both sides play attractive football. It will be an exciting game that both sets of fans and players will be looking forward to."
Looking ahead to next season, when Rangers will return to the Scottish Premiership after a four-year absence, Wallace admits they will take heart from their defeat of rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final but feels they have work to do if they are to be competitive on their return to the top-flight.
"We need to be as competitive as possible. History tells you that Rangers are used to winning the top league in Scotland. We as a club, as players - will never accept second best," said Wallace.
"The Old Firm Scottish Cup win against Celtic won't have any bearing on how things will pan out next season.
"Celtic will obviously have a change in management - there's going to be players coming in at both clubs. There's a lot to do between now and next season.
"Yes we took great confidence from last weekend's result but we quickly move on."
Watch Rangers v Alloa on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 3 HD at midday. You can also watch the Scottish Cup final on May 21. Coverage of Rangers v Hibernian begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 2:30pm.
