Rangers striker Joe Garner praises Graeme Murty's impact as interim boss
Sunday 5 March 2017 20:21, UK
Joe Garner believes Rangers have improved under the temporary stewardship of Graeme Murty but says a decision on the 42-year-old’s long-term future with the club rests solely with the board.
Garner scored a hat-trick in Saturday's 6-0 cup victory over Hamilton Academical as Rangers made it three wins from five matches since former manager Mark Warburton's departure from the club in February.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's win, where Rangers sealed their place in the last four of the Scottish Cup, ex-Rangers boss Walter Smith said his former club should consider Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes for the vacant post at Ibrox.
Portuguese manager Pedro Caixinha remains the odd-on favourite for the job with the bookmakers, despite a number of former Rangers players - including Neil McCann - questioning his suitability for the role.
Murty stepped up from his role as Rangers' head development squad coach to take interim charge when Warburton and his backroom team left Ibrox last month, and a permanent managerial appointment could raise questions about what part he has to play at the club going forward.
"The lads have improved under Graeme with every week," Garner said.
"We spoke about it before the game, about how good a job he's done.
"I think all his hard work paid off with the result and performance.
"Should he be involved in the new set-up? That's nothing to do with the players, it's the board's decision.
"I'm sure they'll make the right one but certainly, he deserves a lot of credit."
Garner had managed just four goals in 23 appearances for Rangers before Saturday's treble.
The 28-year-old, who joined Rangers for £1.8m last summer, hopes he has finally rediscovered his goalscoring touch following his Scottish Cup hat-trick against Hamilton.
"I feel I've had a lot of chances recently but they just haven't been going in," Garner said.
"I hit the post in midweek against St Johnstone and should have scored.
"If I go back through the games, I definitely should have a lot more goals but I'm getting the chances so hopefully with a bit of luck a few will start going in."
