Lee McCulloch defends Rangers duo after Graeme Murty bust-up

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Rangers duo Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have been suspended at Ibrox.

Former Rangers captain has told BBC Sport that Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace are “not disruptive players” after the duo were suspended by the club following Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Celtic.

The duo are believed to have been reprimanded by the club, subject to an internal investigation, after venting some choice words in the dressing room following Sunday’s dismal loss to their bitter rivals in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

It is believed some of those comments were aimed at manager Graeme Murty, whose future is in doubt at Ibrox as he is only contracted to remain in charge until the end of the season.

Now, Wallace and Miller’s futures are too in doubt after being suspended by the club, who confirmed as such in a short statement on Tuesday afternoon. McCulloch reacted, defending the duo and stating he is confused by the situation.

“I know Lee and Kenny very well, they are two passionate professionals, “McCulloch said. “They are not disruptive players at all. I can’t quite get my head round the whole situation.

“I’ve been in a hundred dressing rooms when choice words have been used after the game. There’s been fights but it’s never come out in the press. That’s the worrying thing for me, how it’s come out so soon after an embarrassing defeat.

“People will say it’s not the best time to speak out, when the adrenaline is still going but you can look at it both ways. You might get what people really feel instead of leaving it a day or two when people go back into their shells.”

Neither player featured in the game on Sunday, as they both remained on the bench from start to finish. Murty has been criticised for his tactics throughout the game in the media, as well as his handling of midfielder Andy Halliday.

Halliday, 26, was taken off in the 41st minute, just four minutes before half-time and replaced by Josh Windass despite showing no sign of injury. The Scottish star was visibly angry on the touchline and had to be held back by Bruno Alves.

Rangers were beaten comfortably by Celtic as Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor, Moussa Dembele and Olivier Ntcham all found the back of the net to secure a place in the final, where they will meet Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell.