MURRAY WALLACE is looking forward to his future at Huddersfield Town – but with crisis club Rangers struggling to avoid liquidation, can’t help thinking about his Ibrox past.
Town’s 19-year-old deadline-day signing was on the books of the Glasgow giants before joining Falkirk two-and-a-half years ago.
Discarded for being too skinny, the centre-back has put some beef on his bones while the Gers have been sliding towards the abyss.
But Wallace, who has been loaned back to Falkirk for the remainder of this season but watched Town beat Hartlepool on Tuesday, bears no ill will towards his first club.
“I still keep in touch with some of the people there, and I feel for them because what has happened is shocking,” he said.
“I’m not sure if people outside Scotland realise just what an institution they are and what a big part they play in the lives of the fans.
“It’s crazy to think such a massive club with such a huge fanbase can come so close to going to the wall, and I really hope they can survive.”
Brought up in the village of Eaglesham to the South of Glasgow, Wallace was brought up in a rugby-mad family, with his uncles Murray and Fergus both playing for Scotland.
“I played mini-rugby myself as a boy, and it was only when I went to school that I started playing football,” he explained.
“I joined a local club called Busby Boys, and Rangers spotted me playing for them.
“But it’s Falkirk who have really brought me on, and I owe a lot to the club and the manager, Steven Pressley, who has been a big influence.
“I grew up supporting Hearts, where he played, so it was a big thrill when he became Falkirk’s manager.
“He was a very good centre-back, so it’s brilliant for me to have learned from him, and as well as being a good talker and motivator, he’s given me loads of advice.”
Falkirk, who made the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup – Wallace impressed in the 3-1 Hampden defeat by Celtic – are second in the First Division.
And while they trail Ross County by nine points, Wallace, who is due to make his 30th appearance at home to Partick Thistle today, is remaining positive.