Murty’s pride in classy Gers

Graeme Murty lavished praise on his young Rangers players after they fell just short of reaching the Challenge Cup final.

Rangers were already the first colts side to reach the semi-finals of the competition and pushed their Championship opponents until the end of the game.

The head of development squad coach hailed the tournament as a hugely beneficial experience for his young side.

Murty said: “We could and should be sitting as the first colt team in the final. I thought we were that good. It doesn’t often pan out the way you deserve, but I thought from minute one my guys can hold their heads up really high.

“We’ve just come to the home of the team who are second in the Championship and in my opinion should win the game. They’ve just knocked out Livingston out the cup with a very similar side and I’m sitting there with a group that are, on average, 18 years old.

“They’ve still got lots more to come but this competition has been a fantastic experience for them. They’ve been all across the country, they’ve been out of the country, they’ve played men’s teams.”

Graeme Murty