Rangers manager rubbishes quit rumours

NO-ONE ever said it was going to be easy. Given the headlines and messageboard rumours about him this week, it seems many have already formed the impression that the walls are closing in on Ally McCoist just seven months into his tenure as Rangers manager.

In what are unquestionably trying times for McCoist, there is little respite this afternoon when he must do without leading scorer Nikica Jelavic for an SPL fixture at home to Hibs which he dare not lose.

But McCoist, who saw a chance reunion with former Rangers chairman Sir David Murray on Tuesday bizarrely spark frenzied chat on the internet grapevine that he had been talked out of resigning as manager, shakes his head in barely disguised disgust at suggestions he is ready to throw in the towel.

“It’s really poor,” said McCoist. “I know how rumours start with rubbish on the internet and all that stuff. This week, it plain and simply came about because the old chairman was in here at Murray Park seeing the club doctor. It was a private matter and then six of us sat and had a cup of tea and watched ten minutes of a bounce game. Simple as that.

“Listen, I didn’t think this job was going to be a cakewalk and it is certainly proving the case. But I am absolutely fine, focused and determined that we will get the best out of the players between now and the end of the season.

“I wouldn’t even talk about it (walking away). I am focused on the game against Hibs 100 per cent and when that is done, I will focus on the next one against Dundee United next week and then the next game after that. That’s the way it is.”

McCoist may have to get used to life without Jelavic, absent today because of illness, if the Croatian international is sold before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.

“Of course it is more difficult for us without Nikica,” he said, “but we had a great performance against Motherwell without him at the start of this month when we won 3-0. I have a rough team in my head and hopefully it can go and win the game against Hibs. I would settle for the same result and same performance as against Motherwell. We played really well that day.

“We have drawn four games at home this season, which isn’t ideal, and need a win against Hibs. But we are alright. I thought there wasn’t a lot wrong last week in the second half against Aberdeen at Ibrox, apart from an inability to get the second goal at 1-1 and go on and win the game. In terms of chances created and being aggressive and committed enough, I would settle for the same activity that we got around the opposition box.”

Mervan Celik is in line to make his debut for Rangers today, although McCoist had not yet decided whether the Swedish under-21 international will start the match or be used as an impact substitute.