Mark Warburton: I don't know much about our opponents but that doesn't matter..

[ian1964 10,618]

... it's all about what we do.

 

RANGERS get their Championship campaign underway against St Mirren tomorrow night and Warburton admits he knows next to nothing about the players his side will face this season.

 

NINE goals scored, two conceded, two cup ties negotiated. But for Mark Warburton, the season starts tomorrow night when St Mirren arrive at Ibrox on league business.

 

The new Rangers manager has been gearing up for that moment since he walked in the door, admitting that Petrofac and League Cup ties with Hibs and Peterhead were merely part of the pre-season build-up.

 

But the manner in which those opponents were swept aside has energised and enthused the support to such an extent that only 2000 tickets remain unsold for the visit of Ian Murray’s men and 33,000 season books have been shifted as Rangers fans clamour to see this new-look team go about their business.

 

Warburton is loving it but he insists the foundation stone of all this early excitement is pure hard work put in at Murray Park.

 

The manager admits he doesn’t know much about any of his opponents at the moment but that will change in time.

 

Not that having forensic knowledge of the opposition is the be all and end all to the former Brentford gaffer.

 

He said: “I don’t know a great deal about St Mirren. I’ve watched games and had feedback from scouts but I wouldn’t know as much about the individual players as I would have done at Brentford.

 

“That’s natural because I have come from a different league where I knew all my opposition.

 

“But 95 per cent of my focus is on what my team does. It’s about Rangers.

 

“If teams play 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 against us, fine. It’s about what we do well.

 

“If we can dominate the football, then we will be okay. You saw against Peterhead, we kept the ball really well and worked the opposition. We created chances late in the game, which we did against Hibs as well.

 

“Up to now, it has been about getting our fitness levels right and coming through unscathed in terms of injuries. It’s been about finding a pattern of play, how we want to play the game. Touch wood, it’s gone well. I’m pleased with it.”

 

Warburton hasn’t had much cause to be overly critical of his players, although he did have a pop at them for their first-half display against Hibs.

 

But he insisted he is not the type to use the hairdryer treatment – and not only because he hasn’t got much on top.

 

He said: “Some players need a shot across the bows, other players need a different approach. The generic side of it is discipline, time-keeping, code of conduct. But they have their own needs individually.

 

“I was never going to respond to someone ripping my head off and giving me a volley of abuse.

 

“ It didn’t work for me, so I have never managed that way – in the banking industry or in football.

 

“You treat people the right way and hopefully what goes around comes around.

 

“From the first training session, the players have been outstanding. They have applied themselves on and off the pitch. They have been first class and hopefully that will show on the pitch.

 

“Our job is to create the best environment, one which is conducive to them learning. A lot of them are young players and they need to keep on being challenged.

 

“They get the best medical care, sports science and nutrition. It’s the best care we can possibly give them.”

 

One of those who has flourished under his guidance is winger Barrie McKay, who spent last season on loan at Raith Rovers.

 

It is a path that other youngsters may follow because Warburton wants them getting game time rather than get used to sitting on the first-team bench.

 

He said: “The loan market is important to us both ways. Young players have to play football.

 

“There seems to be a lot of kudos to sitting on the bench at some clubs, playing five minutes one game, not playing the next two, playing eight minutes the next.

 

“But you are not developing as a player that way. All that happens is that when you do get your chance eight weeks down the road, you are not match fit.

 

“Our job is to make sure the young players continue their development by going out to play football.

 

“Barrie has done that, gone out on loan and played. I look back to Brentford when we had Alex Pritchard on loan from Tottenham. He’s played on loan at Swindon in League One then played for us in the Championship. Now he is ready for the Premier League down there.

 

“We got Stuart Dallas for £5000, loaned him to Northampton, then he came back and did well for us. He’s just gone to Leeds United for seven figures.

 

“It is very rare to get the transition straight from academy to being a first-team regular. In Barrie I see a player who is clever with the football.

 

“He trained really well from our first day here. It’s not about age – I don’t care if you are 18 or 38, if you are right for the team. Barrie has done everything to suggest he should be in the starting 11.”

 

The former city trader is enjoying his new surroundings and has been to a couple of matches to size up the Scottish game. But it was a meeting with a Celtic fan on a golf course that he enjoyed as much as anything else he’s encountered.

 

He said: “They’ve been very good and fans on both sides have been great. I was playing golf at Mar Hall the other day and there was a crazy Celtic fan with a green checked shirt and trousers.

 

“It was great fun – he had a terrible swing but was good fun! They’ve been really polite, warm and friendly.

 

“I went to Morton on Saturday and Dumbarton last night to see our Under 20s – but Davie and I have talked a lot about this – a lot of times people go places for the sake of being seen. There is no value in them going to a game.

 

“There has to be value every single time you go, otherwise stay in and watch a game on your PC or do something in here.

 

“I always refer to the Japanese banking mentality, where they are there from 6am until 10pm because they want to be seen by the boss. But they are doing nothing.

 

“As long as we are adding value, then go to the game. It has to be worthwhile.”

 

Almost 50,000 are hoping that turning up at Ibrox tomorrow night will also prove to be well worthwhile.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boss-mark-warburton-dont-6202867

[the gunslinger 3,366]

He really does keep mentioning loans. Must be something in the pipe work. That aside I just love hearing him speak. It's all fascinating and enthusing

[RANGERRAB 3,459]

He really does keep mentioning loans. Must be something in the pipe work. That aside I just love hearing him speak. It's all fascinating and enthusing

 

And the mhedia don't know what to make of such an articulate man being the Rangers manager who clearly knows what he's doing and where he wants to take Rangers.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

And the mhedia don't know what to make of such an articulate man being the Rangers manager who clearly knows what he's doing and where he wants to take Rangers.

 

I'd imagine many love it too, it makes great copy. Some of course won't like not running the show the way they do with weaker minds.

Edited August 6, 2015 by the gunslinger

[BlueMazza 0]

Every time he speaks I get more enthused. I like that he explains his thoughts with the loans, it does make sense. Also sounds like we're happy to bring in young loan signings to get them games too - if they are good enough. Maybe the thought being clubs down south loan out their young future stars? Or I'm talking out of my arse haha

[craig 5,199]

He really does keep mentioning loans. Must be something in the pipe work. That aside I just love hearing him speak. It's all fascinating and enthusing

 

It is a breath of fresh air listening to someone who clearly has intelligence outside of football and doesn't continue to use old footballing clichés and buzzwords.

 

I also like the way he refuses to speak about Allan - continually saying "he isn't my player and that is disrespectful". Mark Warburton, should he continue this way, could also be the one to start to mend some bridges (bridges broken not of our own doing) as he is someone who people can relate to.

[Gribz 745]

 

Warburton has a bit of the Rock about him....it doesn't matter....

[the gunslinger 3,366]

It is a breath of fresh air listening to someone who clearly has intelligence outside of football and doesn't continue to use old footballing clichés and buzzwords.

 

I also like the way he refuses to speak about Allan - continually saying "he isn't my player and that is disrespectful". Mark Warburton, should he continue this way, could also be the one to start to mend some bridges (bridges broken not of our own doing) as he is someone who people can relate to.

 

You have to hope so.