Rae: Gers must turn this around

RANGERS players need to put t he frustrations of Sunday’s 4-0 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic behind them to focus on securing European football, according to former player Alex Rae.

Midfielder Andy Halliday vented his rage as he took his place among the substitutes after boss Graeme Murty replaced him with Josh Windass j ust before the break and with the Hoops ahead through goals by Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor.

Midfielder Daniel Candeias walked straight up the Hampden Park tunnel in the 52nd minute when he was hooked for defender Bruno Alves, after centreback Ross McCrorie had been sent off for conceding a penalty which Parkhead striker Moussa Dembele converted.

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham scored the fourth from the spot to compound a miserable day for Rangers and there were reports that Greg Docherty and I brox team-mate Alfredo Morelos had a heated exchange at full-time.

Former Dundee and St Mirren boss Rae, who played for Rangers between 2004 and 2006, was unimpressed by the theatrics and i nsists the Light Blues — who l ead third-placed Aberdeen on goal difference — need to make sure of clinching a Europa League spot.

He said: “When you look at the manner in which they lost, it is understandable players were upset but for me it is more important to try to take that out on Celtic, be it a lot more controlled in the way they went about it.

“It doesn’t l ook good when you have players shouting from the bench and players walking down the tunnel, arguing coming off the pitch.

“As a former player myself I have argued with many players over the years, it is how they react to this and whether they can turn this around.”

Former Rangers player Alex Rae.