I felt like quitting, admits Murty

GRAEME MURTY has admitted he felt like quitting in the immediate aftermath of last Sunday’s Scottish Cup shocker against Celtic.

However, the Rangers manager insists he will never take the easy way out and is determined to stand firm to complete the job he was tasked with by his board back in December.

That ambition — of finishing second in the league — is given its first post-split test today when Hearts visit what is sure to be a nervy Ibrox Stadium.

Murty has five games, including a now daunting trip to Celtic Park next Sunday, to see off the challenge of Aberdeen and Hibs.

That would mend some of the damage caused by the 4-0 humbling at Hampden which contributed to Murty’s worst week in football — and instinct to remove himself from the role.

When asked if there was a moment in the past week when he did not fancy doing the job any more, Murty replied: ‘About five minutes after the game finishing.

‘Given the way it had gone, it was not what I foresaw. It was supposed to play out as a rip-roaring semi-final and we were going to come out on top.

‘But you have to take the emotion out of it and not make a knee-jerk reaction. Candidly, it would be the easy way out for me to jack it in.

‘I’ve been asked to take the

club forward to the end of the season, I will continue to do that until I am removed — because I don’t want to take the easy way out.’

For legal reasons, Murty was unable to address the club suspensions for Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller, but he could not hide the impact the events have had on his own wellbeing.

Frequently praised for the manner in which he’d grown into the tough gig of Rangers boss during the positive runs of form since taking over, he confessed his belief has been bashed.

Yet Murty insists he can emerge stronger for the chastening experience because he knows the best in the business have been through similar tests of mettle.

‘My confidence has taken a hell of a hit,’ he admitted. ‘It’s the most difficult week I’ve had. It was torturous standing on the side.

‘As a young manager standing on the side in the full glare of that environment and actually going through that is going to dent anyone’s confidence, I would suggest.

‘But there have been bigger managers than me, more experienced managers than me who’ve been through similar situations and come through the other side.

‘So you have to look to those guys and those examples for the learning they got and improvement they made from those circumstances.

‘It’s hard, it’s difficult. I won’t shy away from that. But, you know what, I’m here. I’m still going to do the very best I can.

‘And I still believe the team have it in them to do what we want.’