DID you see Graeme Murty last weekend at Dundee with his backward roll after Harry Forrester had blasted over from close range?

Aye, easy to laugh and poke fun at the stand-in Rangers manager for his antics. But you won’t find any criticism from me. If anything, I welcomed it.

Because for me what it showed was a guy who was caught up in the moment, who was living and breathing everything that the team he had picked was doing on the pitch, and ended upside down on the turf because he was willing Forrester to at least hit the target from Joe Garner’s knockdown. 

Read more: Kenny Miller: No rush to appoint next permanent boss but wholesale clear-outs rarely work

Entirely the reaction I wished some of the Rangers players had responded with at some point during the game against Dundee.

Graeme Murty was doing a good job at Ibrox with the underage kids. Yes, it will look quite good on his CV in the future, that at one time, he stepped and managed a massive club like Rangers, albeit only on an interim basis.

He also stepped forward to take the flak, the pressure and, a job a great many wouldn’t be interested in. He didn’t need to take it – just like he doesn’t need to be taking any criticism for his selections, or how the team he picked is playing, or indeed, from how he has reacted to disappointment on the side lines.

For me what you saw was a guy showing passion and desire – which is more than any player showed at Dundee. 

Instead of concentrating on Murty, many in the press and media would have better focusing on just how this Rangers team, this current squad, is representing the club, the fans and what is an institution. And for me it is nothing short of woeful.

Managers carry the can, but it is players who get them the sack. And this group currently would be a challenge to any manager coming in, short or long-term, caretaker or interim or permanent.

Read more: Kenny Miller: No rush to appoint next permanent boss but wholesale clear-outs rarely work

For too many, that famous blue jersey is weighing them down, as is the burden of expectation, the expectation that as a Rangers player, should be performing to a certain level and standard. And if you are not capable of that, then you should be running and tackling yourself to a standstill for the cause.

For me – and for dozens of other Rangers supporters – the lack of fight, the lack of backbone, the lack of resolve and desire is unforgivable. They are just giving up too easily. Where have you seen a Rangers side behave like that before?

It’s a bad day when Martin O’Neill is coming out and saying how bad Rangers are. But I can’t argue.

The thing is I also know – and I suspect the board knows – that things have to improve sharpish. 

Do I think Rangers can still finish second? Yes, I believe they can.  But do the players believe it?

I really am not sure. There are some massive tests from them very soon; 
forget Old Firm. Right now Inverness, Hamilton and St Johnstone all look potentially hazardous.

Whether it is  Murty, or Alex McLeish, or whoever that takes command for the next few weeks, they have to get these players believing and playing.

That wouldn’t be a problem in previous years. Rangers just don’t have anyone to bully, or lambast or let rip at team-mates in the same way that Scott Brown does it across the city. That is the kind of leader you’d want to see.

Read more: Kenny Miller: No rush to appoint next permanent boss but wholesale clear-outs rarely work

When I was playing, John Greig or Alex MacDonald wouldn’t be shy in letting you know how you were letting everyone else down, and what was expected of you. 

It was the same with Terry Butcher, and, Richard Gough, when they were captains.

But, as I read in the Evening Times the other day, Scott Nisbet also knew that the likes of John Brown, and Ian Ferguson, and Stuart McCall, were also leaders on the pitch, who would never pull out of a 50/50 tackle – or one where the odds were against them. 

They were all captains. Right now, you don’t expect anyone to win a tackle, or a challenge, or show any leadership. It is disappointing; it is quite depressing.

I can see why the Rangers board, on this occasion, is taking some time deliberating over what their next move is going to be; they cannot afford to get it wrong again, they have to find the right man which is putting big pressure on Dave King.

For me, the director of football option looks the way to go. But that means getting the selection process spot on twice. Because you can’t have a director of football, and a manager or head coach, who don’t see eye to eye or have the same goals and ambitions.

The next week is utterly crucial for Rangers, not just in terms of second place, but, in making the best choice for the key positions, going forward.