Rangers boss Graeme Murty suggests David Bates’ form surprised him

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David Bates has been excellent for Glasgow Rangers lately, establishing himself as a key part of the Ibrox side’s defence.

Graeme Murty has told Rangers’ official YouTube channel that the form of David Bates has taken him by surprise, but insists that he feels that there is more to come from the Rangers youngster.

Seemingly signed as something of a gamble by the Gers – judging by the fact that he was initially brought in on loan – Bates has quickly established himself as a hugely important member of the first-team.

He has been a regular in the side since putting in a fantastic display in the Old Firm draw with Celtic in December, and has formed a very good partnership with January signing Russell Martin. And Murty suggested that the youngster’s form has taken him aback lately.

“The surprising thing for me is the performance levels of David Bates. You bring him in against Celtic because we trust him, because we understand the work that he puts in every day, because we understand the improvements that he’s made and he’s performing at a level,” he told Rangers’ official YouTube channel.

“Is he the finished article? No, not yet but he’s doing things that I like, he’s doing things that are improving and getting better and I think that he needs to see from me a degree of trust, a degree of respect for what he’s done. I still think there’s more to come from him, but as you say, I’ve got a group of players now that are capable of pushing each other to big and better things.”

Bates is one of a number of young players who have established themselves as important members of Murty’s squad in recent times, with the likes of Declan John, Greg Docherty and Alfredo Morelos all featuring regularly since the resumption of the season, while Ross McCrorie is surely going to come back into the fold when he is fully fit.

It is certainly a hugely encouraging sign for the future for Rangers as they are seemingly looking to put the foundations in place – either with the youngsters or with the large profits that they will be able to generate and reinvest should they decide to sell any of the players – that will enable the Gers to establish themselves as a real force on the pitch once again.