Rangers development squad boss Graeme Murty wants his side to be more clinical in front of goal after they lost 2-1 to St. Johnstone in a Development League game on Tuesday, but insists he is feeling upbeat due to the tender age of his team and their progress.
The young Gers were the more dominant team at Forthbank as the game progressed, but they could not make their chances count in the second half and also saw the woodwork deny them.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 18th |
| 2024–25 | 14th |
| 2023–24 | 9th |
| 2022–23 | 14th |
| 2021–22 | 7th |
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 20th |
| 2024–25 | 16th |
| 2023–24 | 14th |
| 2022–23 | 13th |
| 2021–22 | 10th |
After Serge Atakayi scored for Rangers late in the first half to cancel out Connor McClaren’s 36th minute opener, the momentum was with Murty’s side.
But despite creating numerous goalscoring opportunities after the break, Rangers failed to convert them and lost the contest after Joseph Johnson netted the winner for the Saints in the 89th minute.
And Murty, who urged his side to be more decisive in the final third, however, was quick to add that it was the best game of football he has seen since taking charge of Rangers in the summer.
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“We know why we didn’t win, because we didn’t take our chances and they were clinical, they scored two really good goals but I think we know we can do a little bit better in front of goal”, he told the club’s official site, before pointing out just how young his side are.
“But for such a young team to pay at such an intensity throughout the game is really pleasing for me, that is the most I have enjoyed a game of football since I came to the club.
“I know I should be a little bit down because we have lost but I think it bodes well for the future with an average age of 17.
“I think them being a bit annoyed and a bit upset by losing but by doing the right things, rather than not being at the races last week when they didn’t do themselves justice.
"They are being annoyed for the right reasons.
“To play that well and then lose is proving to them how important a complete performance is but it shows they are moving in the right direction.”
Rangers, who are now winless in their last four league games, are currently 12th in the standings with 11 points from nine outings.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 9th (Championship) |
| 2023–24 | 5th (Championship — lost in play‑off semi‑finals) |
| 2022–23 | 9th (Championship) |
| 2021–22 | 10th (Championship) |
| 2020–21 | 19th (Premier League) |
