Rangers players made me proud after Celtic performance, says Graeme Murty

Graeme Murty said he was proud of his Rangers players as he rounded off his interim spell in charge with a 1-1 draw against Celtic.

Incoming boss Pedro Caixinha, who was confirmed as the new Rangers manager on Saturday, watched from the stands as the visitors came from behind to earn a point after Clint Hill's late strike cancelled out Stuart Armstrong's opener.

Murty hailed Rangers' positive performance and felt the players had answered some of their pre-game critics.

"I am so proud of the players and I want to pay a load of compliments to them. Craig Gordon made two magnificent saves; I thought we deserved that goal," Murty told Sky Sports.

"I said to the players that it will need a lot of belief to come here. We had to continue to believe and stay together and I thought the goal encapsulated that and I couldn't be prouder of them.

"The lads know what people have been saying about them so I said that they needed to take a full part in this game and that they can make a real good statement about where they can go from here and they did that today.

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"It shows what they can achieve if they stay together and execute things. It was about time they got their rewards because they haven't had many of late and it's a nice way to finish off.

"It was great for me and I really enjoyed the experience. I want to thank the fans and players again because they have been fantastic for me."

Celtic believe they could have had a spot-kick after Rangers had equalised, with Brendan Rodgers claiming that Hill told him he "got away with it" after the defender's tackle on Leigh Griffiths in the penalty box, but Murty was unsure when he was asked about the incident.

"Possibly. Rangers TV tell me it was an outstanding tackle but they're bound to say that. You get them and you don't get them. Things happen in the game and we've had some hard knocks," Murty added. "Celtic will no doubt say that it should have been but I'll just enjoy the moment if that's okay.

"I'm pleased for the players. I thought the players showed a degree of tenacity and grit that they have been questioned about and challenged about for a long time.

"They stood up in a difficult environment and managed to get something from the game. And I thought without two outstanding saves from Craig Gordon they could have had more.

"It took a real man's performance to go and play in that and stand up against a very good team and get something from the game."

Rangers' U20 boss Murty, who will meet Caixinha on Monday, gave a thumbs-up sign to board members at the end of the game as a thank you for the opportunity to take charge of the first team following the departure of Mark Warburton last month.

He said: "It was just a little thank-you from me because I have had the honour and opportunity to go and stand on the sidelines at an Old Firm game. I'm incredibly proud of that but I'm also incredibly thankful to them for giving me that opportunity.

"I've just said to the players that I'm incredibly proud of the way they've worked and the way they've accepted me.

"That is something that when I've got a calmer moment and emotions are not swirling around I can reflect upon and use. We've got a good group of young players at Rangers and I'd like to see them progress through into that first team.

"My challenge now is to make sure they're ready for that step so this experience will only make me better for them."