‘An uphill struggle’ – McCulloch issues heartfelt verdict on Murty after Rangers axe
Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch has admitted he feels sorry for Graeme Murty after he was sacked as Gers boss on Tuesday – but hopes the 43-year-old becomes a better manager for the experience.
Murty was relieved of his duties after the 5-0 thrashing by Celtic on Sunday handed the Hoops a seventh successive Scottish title with the Gers confirming his departure on Tuesday morning.
McCulloch admits that it “hasn’t been easy” on the former Scotland international and thinks he was facing an “uphill struggle” to compete with Celtic.
“You get little sympathy when you are at Rangers, especially in the aftermath of an Old Firm defeat. But I do feel sorry for Graeme Murty right now,” Murty said, as quoted by the Evening Times.
“He went into Rangers to work with the Under-20s and, by all accounts, was doing a decent job.
“The Old Firm games were always going to be tough because Celtic have better players. You are facing an uphill struggle there.
“In his first job, what a learning experience it has been for him. I thought before the game he looked a little bit rattled and that is the nature of the beast at Rangers.
“It hasn’t been easy for Graeme, there is no doubt about that. But I hope he can emerge stronger from the experience he has had at Ibrox and can become a better manager for it going forward.”
The Gers will now turn to Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson to lead the team in their final three fixtures as they look to secure second in the Scottish Premiership.
The Light Blues welcome Kilmarnock to Ibrox on Saturday before back-to-back away games against Aberdeen and then Hibernian.
Football Insider verdict:
Sympathy is usually in short supply when it comes to Old Firm bosses and it will be the same with Murty, although it is difficult not to feel a bit sorry for him after stepping into the hotseat – twice – as the Gers board were left wondering what to do next. The 43-year-old came to Ibrox with a solid reputation as a young coach and his spell at Ibrox hopefully will not do his prospects for the future any harm as he is someone who was doing a fantastic job with the Under-20s before being handed the first-team role. Could he return to the academy? That much remains to be seen, but he is probably deserving of a break after the season he has had.
In other Rangers news, Dave King must improve his offer to Gerrard after an English club joined the hunt to appoint the Liverpool icon.
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