Scottish Championship: Rangers boss Ally McCoist admits he's always under pressure
Friday 3 October 2014 16:54, UK
Ally McCoist has dismissed suggestions that Rangers’ desperate financial position is the only thing preventing him from being sacked.
The Gers boss has come under a wave of criticism from supporters since Monday's dismal 3-1 defeat to Hibernian, a result that leaves them trailing Scottish Championship leaders Hearts by six points.
McCoist did admit he will accept any road into Scotland's top flight, even if it means promotion via the play-offs, but he hit back at claims any hefty settlement package he would be due had made the Ibrox board think twice about handing him his P45.
"I don't think anyone is bombproof," said McCoist. "I wouldn't sit here for a minute and say I'm bombproof. I'm still wearing the flak jacket but nobody is bombproof."
Asked if he would consider quitting if he lost the support of the Gers faithful, McCoist replied: "That's a hypothetical question which I wouldn't answer."
Neither did the club's all-time record goalscorer let himself be riled by the barrage of complaints which have poured in his direction since losing to Alan Stubbs' men.
McCoist said: "I will tell you the truth, I genuinely don't care about the criticism and I'll tell you why. If Walter Smith can get stick here winning nine (SPL titles) in a row and getting to the UEFA Cup final, then it's fair to say I will receive a certain degree of criticism.
"I respect everyone's opinion but I don't necessarily agree with it. I'm always under pressure. I have never felt under more pressure or any less pressure. I just want to get the job done."
Provoked
Rangers travel to Livingston on Saturday without defender Bilel Mohsni after he was given a two-game ban for lashing out at Hibernian defender Liam Fontaine in the seconds after Nicky Law had struck the hosts' consolation effort.
It was the Tunisian's second moment of madness in little more than three months after he headbutted Derby's Chris Martin during a pre-season friendly.
I respect everyone's opinion but I don't necessarily agree with it. I'm always under pressure. I have never felt under more pressure or any less pressure. I just want to get the job done.
McCoist insists Monday's incident came after his player was provoked.
"He should not have reacted when the Hibs player punched the ball out of his hands and grabbed him round the waist, but I don't think there is any doubt he was provoked,” he said.
"He has let himself down a couple of times recently, particularly at Derby, but I have got more sympathy for him from Monday's incident than I did at Derby."
Meanwhile, McCoist believes Rangers should take any investment made available to them, including from Mike Ashley.
The Newcastle United owner splashed out £850,000 on Tuesday as he doubled his Ibrox stake to 8.92 per cent by buying four million existing shares from investment group Hargreave Hale.
But the Sports Direct tycoon's purchase came just weeks after he snubbed the opportunity to invest directly in the club when it put 15 million fresh stocks up for sale.
McCoist said: "It's fair to say we could do with investment. It's not my job to get that investment but with my manager's hat on I would gladly hope we can get investment from whatever quarter.
"I don't know the ins or outs of the shares being bought this week but all I would say is that we definitely, definitely will need investment."
