Terry Butcher is adamant Derek McInnes can get it right at Rangers this season, insisting it's not how you start that matters but how you finish. The former Ibrox skipper is speaking from experience, having been part of the Graeme Souness squad that recovered from losing two of their first three games to win the title in the Englishman's first year in Scotland back in 1986.
That false start is not far off the scene in Glasgow now, where Rangers find themselves five points down on Celtic already just two games into the Premiership season, having also crashed out of the Europa League. Those results have left a dark cloud hanging over Ibrox, but Butcher is convinced that McInnes can lead his old club back to brighter times.
Experience of a Title Recovery
He said: "You can recover from a difficult start. It's not about how you start, it's how you finish. I see a certain similarity with the players. I know my time was 40 years ago, but there were enough characters in the team and in Graeme and obviously Walter Smith. Those two were champion growlers."
"You knew if you did well you were OK, you didn't get the growl. But if you didn't then you would get the growl in no uncertain terms. Derek's record as a manager proves he deserves to be there. And you sort of think with him having been there as a player too, he'll understand what is required."
"Walter was always a Rangers fan. I don't know what team Graeme supported but he certainly made his presence felt when he came into Rangers. I just think with the tradition, the history and the responsibility, you have to stand up to that challenge."
"From a Rangers point of view, they've had unbelievable players who have gone before and you are treading in their footsteps - so you've got to justify your position and live up to all the hype and make sure you do it week in and week out. That's the hardest bit."
Fernandez Urged to Stand Tall
Manny Fernandez is among the Ibrox stars finding things tough right now. The giant centre-back was Rangers' player of the year last term, but his confidence levels have plummeted on the back of a string of costly mistakes. Butcher expects the 6ft 4ins stopper to stand tall and rediscover his best form.
He said: "Look at Mark Hateley when he first came to the club. He had a very difficult few months too and a lot of people were saying it was a waste of money. So when someone like Mark with his strength of character struggles, it shows it can happen to anyone."
"It will be a big test of character for Manny, because he'll now understand a little bit more of what's expected of him at Rangers. But you've got to carry that all through the season. He's got another eight, nine months where he has to hit those standards."
"I'm sure he will get better. He's got the attributes and it's just the players around him that he possibly needs help from, some support. But he's got a good manager who is top when it comes to one-on-one leadership and man management, so I wouldn't have any worries about that. It will happen."
"To play for Rangers, you must have the right temperament because you're up there with the big boys and you're treading on history every step that you take on that football pitch. So I've got every confidence that he'll do it. At six foot four, everybody says, well, he can't run, he can't do this, he can't do that, but it's what he can do, and he's got to really make sure that that comes out even more."
Settling In at Ibrox
Summer signings such as Dan Neil have also suffered teething troubles while settling in to life at Ibrox. Butcher can sympathise, having gone through his own readjustment issues when he left Ipswich to sign up for the Souness revolution in the summer of 1986.
He said: "You soon realise playing in Scotland is different to down south. It hits you right between the eyes. I remember my first match. Hibs away, we lose at Easter Road. Third game it was Dundee United at home, lost that one too. You know you're right in the deep end then because everyone is saying that it was a catastrophic start."
"And this season especially, it'll hit every player right between the eyes because they're expected to do better. Pulling on that jersey, some players might think, 'I've made it now, I'm playing for Glasgow Rangers'. But you can't think like that. You've just got to realise these teams we're facing are going to be up for it. You've seen that already with Hibs going to Ibrox and winning."
"They need to stick together as a team. The balance may not be right yet. But you've got plenty of time to get that sorted."
