JAMES TAVERNIER reckons interim Rangers boss Graeme Murty has all the attributes to be a manager in his own right one day.

The 42-year-old returned to the dugout at Murrayfield last weekend as he guided the Light Blues to a crucial Premiership win over Hearts.

After handling first team matters following the departure of Mark Warburton last term, Murty will hold the fort as the Ibrox board consider their options to replace Pedro Caixinha.

The visit of Partick Thistle is next on the Gers’ agenda this afternoon and Tavernier has backed the Under-20 boss to lead by example once again on home soil.

He said: “Murts is a top lad. He has come in previously and done a great job with us so we knew, all the boys that have been here, that he would do a good job.

“He puts the responsibility in our hands because we are the lads that go on the pitch or the training field and put on that Rangers shirt so we have to deliver. He gives us the foundations and we have got to produce it.

“I think he has got it all to possibly be a manager, definitely. It is not for me to decide. It is not my decision. That is for the people upstairs.

“He has got off to a great start and we want to go into the international break with another win. He has got everything to be a manager.

“He has got great enthusiasm. He wants us to play football and he gives us all the responsibility.

“He wants us to do well and he wants us to do well for ourselves. He gives us that lift and he is a great person to be around.

“Yeah, you could say that [it was about giving us confidence against Hearts]. We know as a team and individually we are better players and he expressed that.

“We know that we are a good team and we went out there and delivered it.”

The Jags clash will be Rangers’ first match at Ibrox since the draw with Kilmarnock last Wednesday that proved to be Caixinha’s final game in charge.

His handling of the situation with Kenny Miller and talk of dressing room unrest dominated the agenda as the Gers struggled for performances and results in recent weeks.

The striker returned to the side against Hearts and Tavernier insists the Light Blues squad will continue to present a united front going forward.

He said: “I don’t know [why it didn’t happen for Caixinha]. It’s just one of those things.

“Sometimes it doesn’t work out for players or certain managers and if the results don’t go your way you are under pressure.

“We’ve seen it down in England – if you don’t get results you are under pressure. This is a demanding club too if results aren’t right.

“It’s not my place to say [if he made things hard for himself]. It was disappointing not to have Kenny in the team when you know he’s a big figure in the dressing room and see the response we had from him at Hearts.

“The rest of the lads are great and we all stick together.

“It was his decision at the time and you can’t argue with the manager once he’s made a decision. It’s done and dusted now and Kenny is up and running.

“When Warbs (Mark Warburton) left there was talk of a new man coming in and signing players. No matter what manager comes in they always like their own players.

“The lads here have stuck together. Pedro brought in a good bunch of lads and we all have a laugh on the training pitch and in the changing room.

“It’s down to everyone to work hard so that when the new manager comes in we’re all in contention.”