GRAEME PRAISED BY GARNER FOR MAKING IBROX TEAM BETTER

JOE GARNER has praised Graeme Murty for the enhancements made to the Rangers team during his term as caretaker coach.

Murty steered the Ibrox club to a third home win of his tenure as Hamilton were knocked out of the William Hill Scottish Cup three days after a dramatic 3-2 league win over St Johnstone.

‘The lads have improved under Graeme with every week,’ said Garner, who scored a hat-trick in yesterday’s 6-0 victory.

‘We spoke before the game about how good a job he’s done. I think all his hard work paid off with the result and performance. All the credit has to go to him.

‘Should he be involved in the new set-up? That’s the board’s decision. I’m sure they’ll make the right one but certainly he deserves a lot of credit for today.

‘He’s set us up well and we’ve delivered a win. It’s been difficult for the players in the last few weeks, with the uncertainty. There’s been a lot going on and we’ve had to stick together.

‘We’ve had a few bad results away from home but we’ve put a few wins together at Ibrox now, so we’ll go into the Celtic game after a good victory.’

As his bosses press ahead with finding a permanent appointment, Murty was planning normal preparations for a week that culminates in the daunting return to Celtic Park next Sunday.

He said: ‘If I’m in charge next week, I’ll deal with it then. Can I just enjoy this one a little bit first?

‘They will be in tomorrow but off Monday. They’ve been asking and begging for two days off but it’s more important they are ready to go to work on Tuesday. I’m just doing the things I’ve been asked to do.

‘The players have just got a reward for a lot of hard work that people don’t necessarily see day to day. They were clinical and it possibly lifts a little shadow from the place.

‘And if it does, that’s great. The players have been fantastic with me, so I’d like to pat them on the back.’