The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Murty says fans right to make point as Gers bounce back
Graeme Murty says the Rangers faithful were within their rights to demand “better” as his team was met with a banner protest before facing Hearts.
The Ibrox outfit was back in action for the first time since last week’s humiliating 4-0 Scottish Cup drubbing by Celtic and responded with a 2-1 win over Craig Levein’s side.
But that did little to mend the damage done to their relationship with their supporters, who largely sat in silence during a game played out in an eerie atmosphere.
Before kick-off, fan group the Union Bears unveiled a display attacking everyone from Dave King’s board to Murty and his squad, reading: “No fight, no pride. Nowhere to hide. Incompetent on & off the pitch. We deserve better.”
A second banner was also hoisted from the same section in the Broomloan Road Stand as the second half got under way, stating: “Mindless behind the scenes, heartless on the pitch.”
There are likely to be further outpourings of frustration if Gers allow Celtic to clinch the title when they meet at Parkhead next Sunday. But Murty hopes his players have proven they remain a united front despite the bruising aftermath of their Hampden collapse.
The Rangers boss, whose side has edged back ahead of Aberdeen into second spot, said: “The fans are fully within their rights to do what they see fit. I’d never go against their wishes. But I said to the players if we wanted something from them we needed to put on a performance and I hope the fans saw some passion and intensity and a bit of quality.”
“I hope the fans saw some passion and intensity”
Murty was relieved to see his side get back to winning ways thanks to goals from Jason Cummings and Daniel Candeias.
He said: “I know the qualities of the players. They showed a fantastic response.”
Christophe Berra pulled a goal back for Hearts before Kyle Lafferty came close to completing a fightback as he clipped the outside of stand-in goalkeeper Jak Alnwick’s post.
But Levein said it was a missed chance for his side, and said: “I thought we could have won the game today.”