RANGERS chairman Sir David Murray celebrates 20 years in charge at Ibrox this weekend.

RANGERS chairman Sir David Murray celebrates 20 years in charge at Ibrox this weekend.

Few could doubt the influence Murray has had on the club and, although he has made no secret of the fact he will sell up in the near future, he has firmly embedded himself into the history books at the club.

In the two decades he has been at the helm, he has played a significant part in revolutionising the Scottish game and overseen some momentous occasions at the club. He was responsible for rebuilding Ibrox, for setting up the Rangers Charity Foundation and for pouring millions of his own money into the club.

Here are the thoughts of the men who know him best, selected from today's special edition of the Rangers News.

GRAEME SOUNESS

"He was first and foremost a businessman and he realised there was enormous potential in Rangers. I did warn him that if he became totally involved then it would take over his life. When you immerse yourself in it, everything else takes second place - including your family.

"We didn't have to change much when he came in because there was nothing to change. We were very successful. We were the dominant force in the British transfer market at that time. We were spending big money and we had half the English squad in our team at that time. David has never felt sorry for himself. He is very much up and at em and seems to thrive on that. He is a very special human being."

WALTER SMITH

"The great thing about the chairman is that he has always been 100 per cent behind his mangers. If a change has to be made, as it had to be in my own case, then he does so in the best poss-ible manner and while you are in the job you can be assured of his backing.

"It was a little bit of a surprise when I got the call to come back. When Paul Le Guen came I was Scotland manager at the time and I didn't expect the Rangers job to be available again so quickly.

"In comparison to the old days when Rangers had very few managers, there has been a turnover in more recent times, but even then it has been three or four years at least between managers.

"So I was surprised when I got the call and it left me with a huge decision to make, but one I was happy to make.

"The one thing that is notice-able about the chairman more than anything is that when we do things you never see him. The only time he puts himself in front of the cameras is when the club is having a little bit of a problem.

"That is the measure of him. He is not here for the glory. Last season in Manchester after the Uefa Cup Final is the first time I can remember him coming to a post-match dinner.

"In my first time as manager he came out and supported me when the flak was flying and he has done that with all of his managers.

"Thirty trophies have been won during his time and that is fantastic. I don't imagine there are many chairmen across Europe who can match that level of success.

"He has led Rangers through difficult periods, like the rise of the Premiership and the disparity that exists between English and Scottish clubs financially.

"Despite the financial problems, he has been charged with making sure the club continues to challenge and few people could have handled it in the way he has done."

DICK ADVOCAAT

"For me and my family the best time in my life was spent with Rangers. They are a special club and they were special times when I was there. I think every manager hopes to work with someone like David and I was lucky. He is unique. Everyone knows about his terrible accident when he was a young man, but I never heard him complain once about his disability.

"We scarcely disagreed. We had some discussions, but every time there was a solution. David was a friend from the start and he will remain a friend forever."

BARRY FERGUSON

"I've known David for a long time now. It's not like it has just been since I turned full-time here, it goes much further back.

"I first met him when I started out here as a schoolboy. From when I started coming in to train at the age of 10, I've known who he is. We go back a long way and he is a guy I have enormous respect for.

"Not many people get the opportunity to come back to a club and I'm thankful the chairman gave me that chance. I made a big mistake in going to Blackburn. I knew that after being down there for a week or two and it was good of Mr Murray to come back in for me.

"Leaving Rangers was the biggest mistake I ever made and I owe him a lot for taking me back.

"He comes into Murray Park once or twice a month and comes into the dressing room to see us all. He's a real character. A lot of people probably look upon him as a serious businessman or a multi-millionaire, but he has a really good side to him. He speaks his mind and I like that."

ALLY McCOIST

"I have been fortunate enough to have been all over Europe looking at training facilities and what we have at Murray Park is comparable to anything in world football - it's fantastic.

"He has now been here 20 years. He has had his ups and downs, like everybody else, but over the piece he has been hugely successful. If and when he does leave, he will leave a great legacy.

"He has said that if there are people out there interested in buying the club then his door is always open.

"I think he will have a heavy heart when he walks away from Ibrox because Rangers has been so much of his life for the past 20 years."

JOHN GREIG

"I have been very, very lucky in my time. If it was not big enough playing for the club it was fantastic to come back for a second time and then Sir David made me a director and I don't think I could have received a higher accolade than that.

"I'm very proud to have served as a director and it has been a privilege to work for Sir David. You could not get a better boss."

ALEX McLEISH

"I only knew David Murray by reputation before I joined Rangers.

"I had heard he was a larger than life character and when I first met him I could tell there was a real character of a man there.

"We had a great relationship. He never interfered in team selections, despite the fact he owned the club lock, stock and barrel.

"He always gave me my place transfer-wise, although he had a marvellous knowledge of European football and he had good contact with a number of agents.

"David insisted I was there on merit and that gave me a big surge in confidence and belief.

"He was a demanding chairman in the sense that he wanted to win, but I 'm a demanding manager.

"I knew the important of winning at Rangers and some players can't handle that pressure."