Ibrox legend Terry Butcher: Mark Warburton has been simply the best for Rangers…and the best is still to come
via Evening Times |
Terry Butcher has told Rangers to offer manager Mark Warburton a long-term contract after insisting: “The best is yet to come”.
Former Rangers defender Butcher has been hugely impressed by the job done by his fellow Englishman since he took over at Ibrox last summer.
Warburton has guided the club back to the Ladbrokes Premiership and can wrap up a trophy treble if he follows up last month’s Petrofac Training Cup win with another victory in the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Rangers take on another of Butcher’s old sides Hibernian but the former England captain believes there will be plenty more showcase occasions to come under Warburton.
However, he fears that Warburton – who has two years to run on his existing Rangers contract – could be prised away by an English club.
His name was recently included on a short-list of names Everton are rumoured to be considering as they seek a replacement for Roberto Martinez.
Butcher said: “Mark has done a terrific job. He’s been a very steadying influence.
“He just gets on with his job well, there are no histrionics. It’s very similar to the way Walter Smith used to get on with it when he was in charge. Pragmatic and strong.
“Can I see him returning to England? Eventually, but when you can have success at Rangers why would you want to go anywhere else?
“It’s a great club and I think they will want to get him tied down. The best is yet to come.
“If they can get the right players signed up, which will be Mark’s next step to make sure they are ready for the Premiership, then who knows how far they can go?
“They should now be looking to tie him down on a new contract so they can start thinking longer term. When did Rangers last have a five-year plan?
“They are now in a great position to go and do just that, so why not go ahead?”
Butcher was speaking at a William Hill media event ahead of the Hampden clash between his two former clubs.
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