Former Rangers defender Ian Murray has been sacked as manager of Greenock Morton. The Championship club confirmed Murray and first team coach Bill Orr were relieved of their duties with immediate effect on Monday.
Morton sit bottom of the Scottish Championship standings with just one point from their opening eight league games. The board's decision follows a run of only four wins in 29 matches under Murray's leadership. The club's financial struggles have been a major factor, with a main sponsor reducing a planned £540,000 investment and a separate £750,000 deal collapsing in August.
Former Rangers duo step into temporary charge
Current Morton player Michael O'Halloran and assistant manager Gary Miller have been placed in temporary charge. O'Halloran, a winger who made 38 appearances for Rangers between 2016 and 2018, will combine playing duties with his new role. He scored three goals during his time at Ibrox, which included a straight red card in a 2-0 win over Hibernian in January 2017.
Miller, the existing assistant, will work alongside him. Their first task is to prepare a severely weakened squad for the weekend, with many matchday squads containing five or six teenagers. Their immediate focus is a key match against Raith Rovers this Saturday.
Murray's Rangers roots and Morton's plight
Murray, who played as a defender for Rangers, leaves a club in a precarious position both on and off the pitch. The financial strain has left the playing resources threadbare. The situation at Cappielow provides a stark contrast to the fortunes at Ibrox. Rangers are currently second in the Premiership with 16 points from seven games and are on a five-match winning streak. The club's strong form and league position highlight the different paths of these two clubs with shared personnel.
O'Halloran and Miller will lead Morton against Raith Rovers on Saturday as they attempt to secure a first league win of the season. The new interim coaches face a monumental challenge to improve the team's performances and lift them off the foot of the table.
Background and full detail: LiveScore
