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Page last updated at 20:18 GMT, Thursday, 15 January 2009

McLeish backs under-fire Murray

Sir David Murray and Alex McLeish
Murray (left) appointed McLeish as Rangers boss in 2001

Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish has defended Ibrox chairman Sir David Murray amid fans' criticism of the club's stewardship.

A Rangers supporters group is calling for change by the club's board with the 'We deserve better' campaign.

"I don't think the criticism is fair at all, given what David's done for the club over 20 years," said McLeish.

"That man has done everything he possibly can to make Rangers successful. He's ambitious, a winner."

Campaigners say there has been "no discernible strategic vision, either on or off the pitch".

Murray has already announced the club will have to sell at least one of their star players to ease their financial woes, with top scorer Kris Boyd having rejected a move to McLeish's Birmingham earlier this month.

In a statement from campaigners, areas of concern highlighted include the side winning "only two league titles in eight seasons" and "only two cups in the last three full seasons".

But McLeish, who won seven trophies as Rangers manager between 2001 and 2006, insists Murray's appetite for success remains strong.

"Long term, I've absolutely no doubts that David Murray's heart is in Rangers," McLeish added on BBC Scotland's Sportsound programme.

"In everything that he's done and everything he's still trying to do, he's trying to get Rangers back to the top again.

Rangers supporters unfurl banner
Rangers fans are demanding changes in the way the club is run.

"I just cannot see David Murray not wanting to do the very best for Rangers.

"Rangers are a massive club and you definitely believe that they can compete with the very best but it's unrealistic in this day and age, finances wise."

A group in the Rangers support unfurled a banner during the club's Homecoming Scottish Cup tie at St Johnstone which read "David Murray must go".

But Fraser Martin of the Rangers Trust, who are backing the 'We deserve better' campaign, says that banner's statement does not represent the opinion of most fans.

"We feel that there has been a consistent settling for second best at Ibrox for too long now," he told BBC Scotland.

"We feel a root to branch re-assessment of how the club goes about their business - from chairman all the way to manager - is urgently over-due.

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"I think it has crystallised for supporters throughout the Rangers family during this transfer window that the club is in a shambolic state.

"'Murray out" is a statement that is going nowhere. The chairman has already said he wants to exit the club but that doesn't look like that is going to happen in the medium term.

"As the Rangers fans, we need to be working together. That is why we're not saying 'Murray out'. We're saying can we step up to the plate and perform a bit better."

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see also
Lazio tracking Gers striker Boyd
15 Jan 09 |  Rangers
McLeish downbeat over Boyd deal
13 Jan 09 |  Rangers
McKay 'given list of players'
12 Jan 09 |  Rangers
Boyd exit would end Ibrox sales
08 Jan 09 |  Rangers
Gers gambling with Boyd sale
07 Jan 09 |  Football


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