Relief for Murty as Rangers finally find their form

RELIEVED Graeme Murty praised his under-fire Rangers players as they ended a miserable month with victory over St Johnstone.

The 10-man Light Blues had Emerson Hyndman to thank for his stoppage-time winner after blowing a two-goal lead.

Their 3-2 triumph was their first Premiership win since the end of January and sees them trim secondplaced Aberdeen’s lead back to six points.

It also gives them an eight-point cushion over Hearts and caretaker boss Murty said he was glad to see a smile back on the faces of his team.

He said: “The main emotion is relief that a group of players, who fully deserved the win, managed to come off with three points.

“They showed a little bit of the spirit we’ve been asking for.

“We have to be a bit more clinical in the box but I’m relieved for the players because they’ve had a hard time of it. Potentially they could have gone under but they managed to come through.

“It’s an easy stick to beat footballers with to say they don’t care, that they are overpaid and don’t care about the shirt. But our guys’ reaction will reveal that to be a lie and I’m happy for them.

“Now is not the time for me to be personally satisfied.

“I’m more relieved for the players. They have taken a bit of a shoeing over the last few weeks. But they are going out of here with a good result in difficult circumstances, so I’d like to pat them on the back.”

Barrie McKay slammed home Gers’ opener after 22 minutes before Martyn Waghorn headed in the second just after the break.

David Wotherspoon struck home for Saints before Rob Kiernan got himself sent off for a needless lunge on Graham Cummins.

Steven Anderson equalised with three minutes left — only for Hyndman to have the last laugh.

Paul Hartley