Thursday 19 March 2015 12:49, UK
Rangers' new boss Stuart McCall is confident they can still secure promotion and is looking at Tim Sherwood's turnaround at Aston Villa for inspiration.
The new gaffer and Ibrox old boy has not enjoyed instant success, witnessing two draws at home in his first two games with his new charges - 1-1 against Livingston on Saturday followed by a 2-2 result against Alloa on Tuesday.
Those results were against two sides in the bottom three in the Scottish Championship, leaving Rangers third, six points behind second-placed Hibernian and 26 short of runaway leaders Hearts.
McCall said: "I always look back at Tim Sherwood's start at Aston Villa. He got beaten in his first game at Stoke - last-minute goal - went to Newcastle, got beat, and then won three on the bounce and they're flying with confidence. Football can change quickly."
But the former Rangers star, who won six Scottish titles as a player with the club, will know his reputation will count for nothing if he cannot quickly emulate Sherwood's impact at Villa.
McCall said: "To become the 14th Rangers manager in the history of 142 years is incredible really. It's been a whirlwind, you're just thrown into two games in quick succession.
"Obviously not the results I would have liked but I knew it's a massive, massive challenge and is one that I'm relishing and looking forward to.
It's a huge turnabout needed but I certainly believe it's one that we are capable of doing.
"The other night against Alloa there was a lot of improvement in certain areas. The more we can work together, obviously, the better we'll get, but it's got to be forced into a short space of time.
"We've got to get up and running and do it very quickly. We're in a poor run of form at the moment; probably since November there's not been any real consistency, good performances or results, so it's a huge turnabout needed but I certainly believe it's one that we are capable of doing."
But his charges have very little time - their next outing is a trip to Hibernian on Sunday. Watch the match live on Sky Sports 2 from 12.30pm on Sunday.
