Graeme Murty praises Rangers' response against Thistle

The Ibrox men bounced back after defeat at the weekend to get all three points against the Jags

Published 7th Feb 2018

Graeme Murty has praised the response by his Rangers players after bouncing back from defeat to Hibernian at the weekend with a 2-0 win against Partick Thistle on Tuesday.

The Gers players had been criticised for their performance at the weekend, when they went down 2-1 to Neil Lennon's side at Ibrox, but managed to pick up all three points at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.

Josh Windass opened the scoring for the Light Blues after latching onto a Daniel Candeias cross in the 38th minute, and dispatching it high into the net.

The Govan side doubled their lead through right-back James Tavernier in the 58th minute, when he unleashed a 20-yard drive to move them three points behind Aberdeen in second place.

Murty, who promised to find out why Windass had made a 'shush' gesture to the Gers fans after his goal, said: "I talked to the players about doing a professional job and make sure we reacted in the right way.

"We managed to do that and get the result we wanted. It wasn't as fluid, inspiring or imposing as I would have liked but we got the result we wanted.

"I saw some nice bits and some outstanding play, particularly both the goals, and it is pleasing to get a clean sheet and come away with three points.

"We need to show a core of resilience, a steeliness, a structure and organisation allied to a bit of togetherness as a basic.

"If we do that then we possess the quality to hurt teams.''

Murty was especially pleased with Tavernier's contribution.

"I think that is six for the season,'' he said.

"He is a modern attacking full-back. The position is not what it used to be but he possesses all the attributes.

"He has fantastic quality in the final third, he delivers good crosses and passes very well and he is an outstanding finisher. It was a bit special to watch that.''

Jags boss Alan Archibald said: "The timing of their goals was probably what hurt us the most.

Rangers showed a bit of quality for their goals, there is no doubt about that. They were clinical.'