Rangers interim manager Graeme Murty has revealed how the club is treating Ross McCrorie “extremely carefully” as they guide him through the early stages of his Ibrox career.
McCrorie has made 13 appearances for the Gers since making the breakthrough into the first-team and is now a regular feature in the starting XI.
The Scotland Under-21 international has shone in both defence and midfield for the Ibrox giants and has won plaudits from fans and pundits alike for his performances for the Gers.
Murty admits that McCrorie has been treated with kid gloves and revealed he wants to help the player be the “best player” on the pitch for Rangers.
“I have been extremely careful with him,” Murty said, as quoted by the Evening Times.
“When I came to the club, he had a big reputation, so I had to judge him for myself, judge the areas where he had to improve and Ross is a work in progress.
“At the moment, he is operating at a high level and you see the distance he has come in a short space of time.
“The rest of his potential, we are not really sure how far he can go yet and it is up to us to ensure we continue to nurture that talent and not think his talent has grown as far as it can just because he is playing in the first team.
“He has still got a lot of development to do and it is our job, collectively, to ensure he has that hunger to go and get better and not just be content to play for the Rangers first team, but to be the best player on the pitch for the Rangers first team and see where that takes him.”
The 19-year-old was forced off with an injury in Saturday’s win over Ross County but is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s trip to Easter Road to face Hibs.
With Graham Dorrans, Jordan Rossiter and Ryan Jack all missing through injury or suspension, the Gers are short enough on bodies in midfield without also losing McCrorie.
The Gers are currently five points off Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic and face Brendan Rodgers’ side at Celtic Park on December 30th.
Murty is the only one of the three Rangers bosses to have faced Celtic under Rodgers who has managed to avoid defeat the Scottish champions after earning a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park in March.
In other Rangers news, Mark Warburton has revealed he wanted to sign this Celtic player while he was in charge at Ibrox.
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