Step forward and take a bow, both Rangers manager Graeme Murty and new Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke, for turning the fortunes of both clubs from zero to hero.
Murty was put in charge following the not-soon-enough sacking of Pedro Caixinha in late October, having already been interim manager earlier in 2017, and now doing a tremendous job for the famous Ibrox club.
Graeme has stabilised the club and players, with all his new signings making their mark on the side he is currently re-building.
Meanwhile down in Ayrshire, on the 14th of Oct ’17, 54-year-old Steve Clarke became the new Kilmarnock manager, who is also transforming his provincial team into a top five or six finish.
At this moment in time, Murty and Clarke are proving to be the best 2 managers in the league!
Brendan Rogers, Derek McInnes, Neil Lennon and Craig Leveine can only stand back and agree that they have both been magnificent for Rangers and Kilmarnock this season.
For Murty this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work permanently as manager and it is obvious that he doesn’t want simply to operate as a short-term-fix until the end of this season. He is exceptionally good and should be rewarded by the success which assures him a long term future at Ibrox.
Like Murty, Clarke got the job because ex-Ranger Lee McCulloch was dismissed for his team under-performing and stuck near the bottom of the league.
Clarke is the 8th boss of Kilmarnock in only seven years and took over a side bereft of talent and consisting of low paid footballers.
This top qualified, unemployed-for-a-year manager, is achieving miracles so far, and if it continues he will become a target for bigger clubs. Kilmarnock look out!
Clarke’s proven track record in British and European football was secured as Mourinho’s reliable and talented assistant at Chelsea. He helped them win two League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
His record since taking the job on Sat. 14 Oct ‘17, has been astonishing.
Kilmarnock 2 – 2 Hibernian, Motherwell 0 – 1 Kilmarnock = 4 points
Kilmarnock 3 -2 Dundee, Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Celtic = 10 points
Aberdeen 3 – 1 Kilmarnock, Hibernian 1 – 1 Kilmarnock = 11 points
Kilmarnock 2 – 1 Rangers, Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Motherwell = 17 points
Ross County 2 – 2 Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock 5 – 1 Partick Thistle = 21 points
St Johnstone 1 – 2 Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock 1 – 3 Aberdeen = 24 points
Dundee 0 – 0 Kilmarnock, Hearts 1 – 2 Kilmarnock = 28 points
Kilmarnock 0 – 3 Hibernian, Celtic 1 – 1 Kilmarnock = 29 points
Rangers 1 – 1 Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle 0 – 2 Kilmarnock = 33 points
18 matches played 33 points earned – sensational results for the manager & team. Kilmarnock are Scotland’s top team in the past 10 matches. Truly extraordinary.
Meanwhile at Ibrox Murty has paired up the hard working, talented Daniel Candeias with Rangers’ (permanent?) new captain James Tavernier in a fantastic, skilful partnership attacking with great aplomb down the right.
The boss similarly has to be congratulated for combining the talented Declan John with the outstanding Jamie Murphy who has power, pace and skill and who also scores crucially important goals. Together they are a real handful and are causing havoc in every match.
He has also integrated new guys Sean Goss and Greg Docherty in a very strong midfield and teamed up young 6’3” David Bates with the experienced Russell Martin at centre back.
With Windass and Morelos scoring so many goals between them, it is almost impossible to fit Jason Cummings into this new-look-starting-team.
Murty and Clarke are to be congratulated on their success, but as a Rangers man I think Murty could be in line for manager of the year
Lets not talk about it…Murty is doing a super job at the moment. Can't quite believe it considering but good luck to him and we may have just been lucky to get ourselves a new school modern manager. Lets hope it continues and we are forced to keep him in the role next season.
Clarke is also doing very well. Seems again to be a talker rather a kicker of tea cups etc. The world has changed.
Good article guys..Both men have done a great job ..Murty has brought Rangers to look and feel like a real team …its exciting times again we are a great chance for the Scottish Cup for sure..Clarke is a top coach who will be wanted by lots of people very soon .As for Mc Innes he is as most of us have always said.. a fraud underachieving bottler and not of our standard..EVER!@@.as for Lennon least said the better …Brenda changes his paraphrases every game !!!one minute Europe this Tec pish next concentrating on the treble …give me a break please !!!! Slash in Europe and really ordinary in a poor league…Onwards Rangers Next Season We Will Overcome GSTQ WATP
It’s still too early. And given that Hibs have just been promoted you should give credit to Lennon. He may we’ll be unpopular with us but he might yet get 3rd place ahead of Aberdeen. And he is critical of refs and rightly so. He was well looked after by ref on his first visit to Ibrox but was robbed against Hearts and Killie. He spoke out. Ryan Jack was brutally aaualted in front of ref. and nothing happened. Murty shrugged it of with no criticism of player or ref. Lennon stuck up for his players. Marty laid down in front of refs.
Great article richard spot on BUT ive got to agree with Alan calder and his thoughts as well lennon has worked wonders at hibs not our cup of tea but AC is 100% correct keep up the good work I N
Although Clarke has done very well at Killie
…I would Say Murty has done better as Clarke has been a manager in EPL whereas Murty hasnt managed anyone bfore at a serious level 👐
are you having a laugh. Murty has dropped 17 points since taking over. Think where rangers who be in the league if we had a proper manager instead of a under 20's coach.
Ibrox noise get your head out the clouds. It was only a few weeks ago Lennon's hibs team beat Murty's rangers at ibrox
On the balance of circumstances, future development, remit, game by game progression and improvement, fulfilment of personal responsibilities in representing our great club and finally results, I consider your assessment of Greame Murty, unfair and lacking intelligence (at best) and wholly disrespectful and patently false (at worst).
Carry on the good work Murts and don’t let the mindless make you nor the more mindful supporters (vast majority I would predict), doubt yourself.
WATP
On the balance of circumstances, future development, remit, game by game progression and improvement, fulfilment of personal responsibilities in representing our great club and finally results, I consider your assessment of Greame Murty, unfair and lacking intelligence (at best) and wholly disrespectful and patently false (at worst).
Carry on the good work Murts and don’t let the mindless make you nor the more mindful supporters (vast majority I would predict), doubt yourself.
WATP
Murty has surprised me and the January signings are mostly doing the business. Murty could win his way to a new contract if he continues to do well and that could only benefit the club. My fear is there I still a Hibs or Dundee result in there somewhere which could undo all the good work. And we've still to be them!!!
Comments are closed.