GRAEME MURTY today stepped down from his position as Rangers manager with just three Premiership games remaining.

The 43-year-old saw his side lose 5-0 to Celtic on Sunday as the champions secured a seventh consecutive top flight crown at Parkhead.

And that Old Firm embarrassment will be his final match in charge of the Gers.

Read more: 'Used as a scapegoat': Rangers fans react to Graeme Murty's departure

Murty held talks with Managing Director Stewart Robertson on Tuesday morning and his short tenure as boss came to an end.

A Rangers statement read: “Graeme Murty has this morning been relieved of his duties as manager of Rangers.

"Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson will take charge of the team for the three remaining matches of the season.

"Rangers are grateful to Graeme, who did not hesitate when asked last October to become interim manager after the departure of Pedro Caixinha and then, at the turn of the year, when he was offered the role as manager until the end of the season.

"Graeme has had to contend with difficult and challenging circumstances but conducted himself in a thoroughly professional manner. He will take some time to consider his options, which include returning to his role at the Rangers Academy.

"Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson have already started preparing the team for the match against Kilmarnock on Saturday and they will be in place for the two remaining fixtures, against Aberdeen and Hibernian.

"The club hopes to be in a position to comment further on the managerial situation in the near future.”

Read more: Rangers could clinch deal for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard by the end of the week​

Murty was appointed as Under-20s boss during Mark Warburton's time at Ibrox and was then asked to step into the first team dugout following the Englishman's departure last season.

He returned to the Auchenhowie youth setup when Pedro Caixinha was appointed but the Portuguese's tenure was short-lived as Rangers crashed out of the Europa League to Progres Niederkorn and faltered in the opening weeks of the Premiership campaign.

Murty answered the call of duty for a second time in October and led his side to successive wins over Derek McInnes' Aberdeen to kick-start their season.

When McInnes rejected a return to his former club in December, Murty was handed a deal until the end of the season and given the chance to earn a long-term contract.

But the 3-2 defeat to Celtic in March was a huge blow to his aspirations as Brendan Rodgers' side took a significant step towards securing seven-in-a-row.

And two further Old Firm losses could leave a lasting impression on Murty.

Rangers were beaten 4-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-finals last month, after which captain Lee Wallace and striker Kenny Miller were suspended following pending investigation following an alleged dressing room row.

The Light Blues then had to watch on as Celtic wrapped up the league title on Sunday.

Read more: Brendan Rodgers: Rangers manager Graeme Murty was thrown "below the bus" before last month's Celtic games​

Murty did not attend his post-match press conference at Parkhead, while no player was made available for interview in the aftermath of the 5-0 humiliation.

The former Scotland defender had spoken bullishly about his future before the derby clash and insisted he had four games left in which to keep his job.

But he will not be in the dugout on Saturday when Rangers face Kilmarnock.

The Gers are third in the standings with just three fixtures left and will head to Aberdeen and Hibernian in the final week of the campaign as they attempt to finish best of the rest.

The departure of Murty clears the way for Rangers to confirm the appointment of Steven Gerrard as boss.

The Liverpool legend has been identified by Director of Football Mark Allen as the man to lead the Light Blues in the top flight next term and discussions have progressed in recent days.

As reported in SportTimes today, Gerrard could be announced as manager before the end of the week as he gets set to go head-to-head with former Anfield boss Rodgers.

The 37-year-old has no managerial experience at first team level but that hasn't put the Ibrox board off as they prepare to back their man financially during the summer transfer window.