Rangers’ Under-20 side suffered defeat to Ross County on Monday.
Graeme Murty has told Rangers’ official website that he was particularly pleased with Josh McPake’s performance during the Gers’ disappointing 2-1 loss to Ross County on Monday afternoon.
Andy Dallas was sent on loan to Scottish Championship side Morton last week, while Zak Rudden is banging in the goals for Fakirk and that has left the Gers’ second string without a recognised striker.
McPake, 17, was given the job of leading the Rangers line despite being more recognised out wide or in the number 10 role. He failed to score, as Ross County earned a 2-1 win at the Hummel Training Centre.
But Murty, who has reverted to his role as head of the Gers academy since Steven Gerrard was appointed Rangers manager, was full of praise for McPake who coped with his job “admirably”.
“I thought Josh McPake led the line really well. He is a 10 normally or plays as a wide man, but we asked him to be a centre forward and I thought he dealt with it admirably,” Murty said.
“We played some good passes into him and he looks a threat, albeit we would have liked him to score. But he rotated into that position and that will add to his learning. He now knows he has to come short at times, make the game and be reliable.
“But also, he has to stretch the game in behind and I thought he did that really well considering about 3pm yesterday he was a doubt for the game and he managed to get through the 90 minutes really well.”
Rangers went behind in the first half as Ben Johnstone slammed home inside the penalty area after Rangers failed to clear their lines. Jordan Houston missed a penalty to equalise, before making up for his error in the 66th minute.
But Ross County had the last laugh, as Houston conceded a penalty late on which saw Ross Stewart send Kieran Wright the wrong way. McPake is still very much a youngster at Rangers, but is certainly showing promise at just 17 years of age.
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