Graeme Murty will remain at Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers in a developmental role.
Derek Johnstone has told The Glasgow Evening Times that Rangers fans should be happy over the fact that Graeme Murty will return to his role as Under-20s coach.
Sky Sports reported this week that the 43-year-old – who was sacked as Rangers’ first-team manager last month – would be going back to coaching the next generation of potential Gers’ stars.
Murty, who was appointed as Rangers’ development boss in 2016, has had two separate stints in charge of the senior side, but a disappointing end to the 2017-18 campaign, which included some heavy defeats by Celtic, put paid to his hopes of earning the job on a long-term basis.
The former Norwich City youth boss, who was replaced by Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, also incurred the wrath of Kenny Miller, Lee Wallace and Andy Halliday prior to his dismissal following the Scottish Cup semi-final drubbing by the Hoops in April.
His stock among fans of the Glasgow club has been a lot higher, but Johnstone, who spent a total of 14 years with the Gers, reckons that it’s “unfair” of the supporters to be unhappy over Murty sticking around.
“I am disappointed that there are a lot of Rangers fans not happy with Graeme Murty staying with the club and going back to the Under-20s. I think that is really unfair,” he told The Glasgow Evening Times.
“This is a man that was working away with the Development Squad, enjoying what he was doing, and got asked to step in and help Rangers, not once but twice. He had a go, he took a huge gamble and he did the job to the best of his ability. Unfortunately for Graeme, it wasn’t quite enough.
“When he won a couple of games, there were fans saying he should get the job. When he dropped points, they said he shouldn’t. I felt sorry for him. I am pleased that he is back and I wish him well next season. Hopefully he can still play a huge part for Rangers and get as many young players as possible through the ranks.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
