MURTY SACKED
BREAKING NEWS: Gers boss relieved of duties as hopes rise of Gerrard deal in days
RANGERS have today sacked manager Graeme Murty in the aftermath of the Old Firm defeat to Celtic.
The 43-year-old was ‘relieved of his duties’ at a meeting with managing director Stewart Robertson.
The departure of Murty clears the way for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard to be confirmed as boss later this week.
GRAEME MURTY has been ‘relieved of his duties’ as Rangers manager.
The 43-year-old saw his side lose 5-0 to Celtic on Sunday as the champions secured a seventh consecutive top flight crown.
And that Old Firm embarrassment will be his final match in charge of the Gers.
Murty held talks with managing director Stewart Robertson on Tuesday morning and his short tenure as boss came to an end.
A Rangers statement read: “Graeme Murty has this morning been relieved of his duties as manager of Rangers.
“Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson will take charge of the team for the three remaining matches of the season.
“Rangers are grateful to Graeme, who did not hesitate when asked last October to become interim manager after the departure of Pedro Caixinha and then, at the turn of the year, when he was offered the role as manager until the end of the season.
“Graeme has had to contend with difficult and challenging circumstances but conducted himself in a thoroughly professional manner. He will take some time to consider his options, which include returning to his role at the Rangers Academy.
“Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson have already started preparing the team for the match against Kilmarnock on Saturday and they will be in place for the two remaining fixtures, against Aberdeen and Hibernian.
“The club hopes to be in a position to comment further on the managerial situation in the near future.”
Murty was named as Under-20s boss during Mark Warburton’s time at Ibrox and was then asked to step into the first team dugout following the Englishman’s departure last season.
He returned to the Auchenhowie youth setup when Pedro Caixinha was appointed but the Portuguese’s tenure was shortlived as Rangers crashed out of the Europa League to Progres Niederkorn and faltered in the opening weeks of the Premiership campaign.
Murty answered the call of duty for a second time in October and led his side to successive wins over Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen to kickstart their season.
When McInnes rejected a return to his former club in December, Murty was handed a deal until the end of the season and given the chance to earn a long-term contract.
But the 3-2 defeat to Celtic in March was a huge blow to his aspirations as Brendan Rodgers’ side took a significant step towards securing seven-in-a-row.
And two further Old Firm losses could leave a lasting impression on Murty.
Rangers were beaten 4-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-finals last month, after which captain Lee Wallace and striker Kenny Miller were suspended following pending investigation following an alleged dressing room row.
The Light Blues then had to watch on as Celtic wrapped up the league title on Sunday.
Murty did not attend his post-match press conference, while no player was made available for interview.
Rangers have confirmed he will no longer take charge of the side, as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard edges closer to the Ibrox hotseat.