GREG Docherty has spent the majority of his life driving past Auchenhowie near his home in Milngavie on his way to train and play for Hamilton Academical.
Yesterday, he finally got the chance to do what he had longed for during the past 12 years – slowed down and turned through the gates.
“The indicator came on today so that was a nice feeling,” said Docherty. “I had been waiting to do that for a long time. For it to happen was really good.”
Joining the club he grew up supporting, though, is by no means the end of the journey for the midfielder. He now has other destinations in his sights. Establishing himself in the first team is one goal, as is lifting trophies and playing in Europe is a definite ambition. He will not be easing his foot off the accelerator any time soon.
“I am here now and I want to hit the ground running,” he said. “You don’t have time to get yourself bedded in at Rangers. I think you need to go straight away. I am prepared to do that I am looking forward to getting started properly.”
“It is massive of course because my family are all fans. It means a great deal for me to be here and to them as well. But I think I am here because it is the perfect platform for me to go and develop regardless of the fact I support the club. The decision was purely made for footballing reasons. I think it is the right place for me to kick on.”
Docherty added: “I have been reading the manager’s comments of late and speaking to Mark Allen (director of football). There is a plan here. I was desperate to be part of that plan. I was sold on Rangers straight away.
“Obviously, I am a fan. But on the football side of things Rangers are going up and I want to be part of that. I want to be pushing them, I want to be creating competition for places which will help with performances on the pitch and getting good results. That’s what I’m desperate to be a part of.”
Docherty, whose protracted move from Hamilton finally went through when Rangers agreed to pay £650,000 for his services, is the latest Rangers supporter to become part of Graeme Murty’s squad. Graham Dorrans, Andy Halliday, Ryan Jack, Kenny Miller, Jamie Murphy are all fans as well as players.
He will, having cheered them on from the stands as a boy and even followed them to the final of the UEFA Cup in Manchester in 2008, not have to be told of the standards which are expected of him at Ibrox.
“My heroes were probably (Barry) Ferguson and (Steve) Davis probably,” he said. “I looked up to that UEFA Cup team. I was at the UEFA Cup final. That was an experience. I was just a young boy at the time, but even then I knew that was where I wanted to be. I wanted to be on that stage. I wanted to be leading Rangers out to stages like that. Now I am here, I am in the door, it is down to me to work hard and see where it takes me.”
Docherty, a grounded and personable young man, has, despite realising a long-held dream and joining Rangers, not forgotten to look in the rear view mirror this week. He is grateful for the help which both his family and Hamilton have given him, especially in overcoming a questionable temperament, as he was attempting to establish himself. He is pleased his former club have banked a sizeable sum after selling him.
“The support network I have go is incredible,” he said. “My mum, dad, family, agent, everybody is behind me. The background is there for me to go and kick on and just focus on football. It is nice for me to know I have got that. I still stay at home. I only stay two minutes up the road.
“A couple of times I thought about chucking in the towel. But my parents sat me down and said: ‘Look, there’s a bigger picture here, it’s going to be tough, football is tough’. I have been through a tough school at Hamilton. But it is a good school. They have taught me well. Mentally I feel as if I’m prepared to take the next step at Rangers.”
Docherty added: “Frankie McAvoy and George Cairns were my two coaches at Hamilton, the double act. They looked after me very well. George looked after me right up until I left Hamilton. He was the man I would go to for guidance.
“Frankie as well. He texted me when the move went through to say well done. He has kept in touch with me since he has joined Preston. If I had a good game he would send me a text as well. They are still there, they are great guys. I can’t thank Hamilton enough for what they have done to me.
“I will never forget my roots, where I came from. It’s a tough school, but a good school, they bring you up right. They allow you to play football, they give you a chance, they allow you to develop.
“I would never be sitting here if it wasn’t for them. I will be eternally grateful to them and the staff there.”
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