Graeme Murty’s Ibrox exit was confirmed earlier this week with Glasgow Rangers now third in the Scottish Premiership.
Murty’s time in charge of the Gers first-team was brought to an end this week, with his premature departure being announced in the wake of their second Old Firm hammering in a fortnight as they lost 5-0 at Parkhead having already lost 4-0 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup earlier in the month.
A large section of the fans seemed to want Murty’s exit to be announced after Sunday rather than face the prospect of the former Scotland international taking charge of the final three games of the campaign and seemingly remain – until clarity was provided – in contention to remain in charge beyond this season. And the club obliged, but Lennon admitted that he was furious with what had happened, comparing Rangers to his former club Bolton Wanderers.
“It’s scandalous the way he’s been treated,” Lennon said, as reported by Sky Sports. “That’s just my opinion but he’s been hung out on his own.”
“I’ve been in that sort of position myself at Bolton when there is no leadership or structure. There is a structure at Rangers but there seems to be a lack of real genuine support.
“I’ve spoke to him this week to offer my support. At the end of the day, Graeme is a human being. People forget that,” he went on to add. “It was a very difficult position he was put in and even an experienced guy would find that situation very difficult. So I just rang him for a few words of encouragement and to wish him well in whatever he decides to do.”
In many ways, Murty may be wishing that he had not carried on in the post after his caretaker spell following Pedro Caixinha’s departure. Murty’s stock rose because of the way that he lifted the mood in his first handful of games back in the dugout, just as he had when he performed the same role when Mark Warburton left.
Other factors may have perhaps prevented how far Murty could have taken the team, but his tactical inexperience was arguably exposed during the defeats to Celtic, as well as during the recent games when they have struggled to break down teams that, on paper, Rangers should be dispatching with relative ease.
Murty always seemed to conduct himself with class, so it is not difficult to see why his supporters, including Lennon, have been left angered by what has happened. It did appear to be the right decision to let him go – whether that is actually the case should become apparent at some stage in the future – but perhaps the handling of the situation was unfair.
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