Graeme Murty apologises to Andy Halliday but goes on mute about Wallace and Miller

Graeme Murty refused to shed any light on the post match dressing room scenes after Celtic 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over the Tribute Act in 2018. 

When the draw was made Ibrox fans celebrated the prospect of a win over their hated rivals and the chance to pick up their first ever real trophy. 

That game at Hampden was to be Murty’s third last in front line management. Kenny Miller’s was an unused substitute at Hampden and never played another match for the club. Lee Wallace had been out injured since September, after three substitute appearances the following season he was out the door with no fanfare. 

Miller and Wallace successfully appealed against their club fines but for two legends it was all over in the aftermath of a Hampden hiding in which neither kicked a ball. 

Murty was full of upbeat manager-talk as he drooled away to Kenny Macintyre with the big questions clearly out of bounds for the Rangers-daft BBC reporter. 

Picking up on their world exclusive interview with the former Ibrox caretaker, BBC Scotland reports: 

“There are lessons to be learned for me and for the players if they chose to look back in that way. Definitely things I would have done differently,” he says. 

“I wouldn’t have taken Andy off because he didn’t deserve it. But I felt at that time I had to do something to try and help the team. That got him a level of personal stick and stigma as a person and player he didn’t deserve. That is on me, I wish I hadn’t done it.” 

Above all, having left Ibrox in November and recently rejected the offer of a managerial job in Scotland, he reflects on the experience at the helm of a giant British club with gratitude. From an unknown driving to training to one of the country’s most recognisable sports figures. 

“It’s a very, very public position,” he says. “I came out of it having learned so much, having been challenged so much out of my comfort zone, which is one of the reasons I came to Scotland. 

“I’m a better coach now, I have a better understanding of how football clubs work. I would have changed certain results, I think everyone would in things they did previously, but I can’t regret stepping forward and taking on the role. I can’t and I won’t regret it, because it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.” 

Halliday was hooked before half-time with his side 2-0 down. While the Celtic fans sportingly cheered his contribution the utility man verbally lashed out at Murty in the technical area. 

Murty was binned by the Ibrox club earlier this season, to use his terminology he is looking forward to the next challenge in his career.