Sunday 19 February 2017 19:09, UK
Caretaker manager Graeme Murty was left disappointed after Rangers fell to a 2-1 defeat against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
The Gers looked lacklustre in the first half as the home side powered into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Mark O'Hara and Kevin Holt, with Joe Garner pulling a goal back in an improved second period.
It has left the Glasgow side without a win in three league fixtures, and Murty was in a defiant mood as he spoke to Sky Sports after the game.
"It was really disappointing," he said. "We didn't actually implement the things we tried to do enough in the game and any team you give a two-goal head start to it's going to be very hard to catch up with.
"We challenged them at half-time to show more and I think they did show more, but you can't wait until half-time, it has to be there from the get go.
"Fair play to Dundee, we knew what they were going to do. We knew they were going to be aggressive, they were going to run hard, tackle hard and be organised so we had to more than match that but we didn't.
"The players understand what the demands of this football club are and they understand that they are there to be met. They have it every single week and every day in training. I know they can do it but it's just a case of making sure they translate it into performances and not wait to be shocked into it.
"They are disappointed in there and shot to pieces, but they have to pick themselves up. I expect more from them than they showed today.
"They also expect more from themselves so they are disappointed with themselves more than anything else but they have been open and honest with each other. They need to come together as a squad and make it better on the pitch."
Rangers are yet to appoint a manager on an interim or full-time basis since the departure of Mark Warburton on February 10, but Murty believes the players cannot let it affect them on the field.
"The appointment will take place whenever it takes place and the players need to take care of business on the football pitch first, last and always," he added. "I will carry on until told otherwise, but it's fair to say I'm very disappointed with how this first game has gone."
For Dundee, they picked up their first victory of 2017 and their first win over Rangers in 16 years, with manager Paul Hartley full of praise for his side.
"I thought it was outstanding in terms of the team performance. It was probably the best since I came here three years ago," he told Sky Sports.
"Everything just clicked today and I thought the game plan was executed properly. Overall, I thought we were the best team today."
