Matt Elliott wants the job at Rangers

Caretaker manager Matt Elliott is ready to lift Stafford Rangers out of the doldrums and keep them in Blue Square North.

The former Leicester defender and Scotland international took charge of Rangers' home game with AFC Telford at Marston Road last night and is looking at taking charge following the departure of Tim Flowers at the start of the week.

Elliott said: "I am more than happy to take the role on, but I wouldn't have done that if we didn't have a bunch of whole-hearted fully-committed players in the dressing room.

"If I thought players were going through the motions then I wouldn't bother wasting my time.

"I have been asked to take over for the short-term by the chairman as the games are coming thick and fast."

But, on a night when former Hednesford manager Bernard McNally and ex-Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote were among the crowd, Elliott admitted that certain issues needed resolving for him to continue in the role.

He said: "There are a number of areas that we need to spruce up and those are among the things that need to be sorted out.

"But if we can iron a few things out and the board still want me then I would be delighted to carry on.

"I have loved the time that I have been here despite the results. It has been a turbulent time but it has been enjoyable.

"There are still a lot of games to go this season and I've not seen a side that has dominated us."

Goals from Phil John and substitute Alex Meecham gave Telford the points at Marston Road, but they had to battle against a Rangers side looking for its first league win since the 3-1 defeat of Gainsborough Trinity back in September when Chris Brindley was still manager.

Elliott added: "I was pleased with the display but disappointed by the result – it was the same old story again. We've impressed up to a point but we've then run out of ideas.

"When we are asked a few questions, we answer them for a while but we then seem to let go of the hold that we had on the game."

Elliott had a spell as Hednesford's assistant manager in 2008/09 and held a similar position at Midland Alliance outfit Oadby last season, before arriving at Marston Road as Flowers' number two.