Former Rangers defender Ian Murray was beaming with pride at his Raith Rovers side despite the fact they crashed out of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.
The Gers booked a date at Hampden in the semi-final of the competition courtesy of a 3-0 victory over the Rovers, with goals from Connor Goldson and Scott Arfield coming either side of a Ryan Nolan own goal.
Currently toiling in the mid-table of the Scottish Championship, Ian Murray’s team came into the Scottish Cup quarter final as clear second favourites.
And whilst this is how the game panned out, the former Rangers defender praised his players and beamed with pride for how they valiantly faced the “daunting” task of coming to Ibrox.
Ian Murray proud of Raith Rovers Rangers showing
“We are disappointed to be out of the Scottish Cup, we wanted to go further obviously,” said Ian Murray.
“But my emotion right now is pride in the football players, I thought they were excellent.
“I thought the discipline and the shape and structure they carried out was great.
“Also pride in the supporters we brought today and the appreciation they showed us towards the end.
“It’s been a tough season, we had to rebuild a little bit. We all know what happened last season at Raith Rovers and we are trying to rebuild the football club.
“Delighted. We bring in a young boy Adam Masson at right back who was at school this time last year.
“Then we put on Greig Young, who was on loan the first half of the season at Elgin City. I commend them both for the way they applied themselves.
“It’s very daunting to come here and play in front or 45,000 or 50,000 and try to stick to the basics and not get nervous. But to a man I thought our players gave everything within the game.
“But I said to the players that this wouldn’t be a game which would define our season. It just gives us a grounding for the final quarter and if we work like that we will be okay.”
Ex-Rangers star back at Ibrox
The once highly-rated Ian Murray joined Rangers in the summer of 2005 on a pre-contract from Hibs, but injuries disrupted his two years at Ibrox.
The versatile defender would then move to Norwich City, but after falling out of favour returned to Hibs where the once promising player is most synonymously remembered.
Rangers join Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Celtic in the Hampden Scottish Cup semi-final draw, with the winner of the clash between Falkirk and Ayr to join them this evening.
Meanwhile, Castore have announced yet another partnership.