McCoist interview.

[GaryMc 2,401]

http://www.dailyreco...86908-23669984/

ALLY McCOIST last night rubbished the notion Nikica Jelavic had downed tools and is awaiting a transfer-window ticket out of Ibrox.

And the Ibrox manager also disputed the suggestion some of his players now have to prove they are worthy of wearing Rangers' jersey.

But what McCoist couldn't deny is that now is the time for all of his team to take responsibility for the rest of Rangers' season.

McCoist was suited and booted in front of the media at Murray Park by nine yesterday morning, still hurting from the events on Wednesday night that cost Rangers leadership of the SPL table.

The early call contradicted the manager's lifelong reputation for having no concept of time.

But McCoist knows only too well the clock is ticking on Rangers' defence of the title.

And he wasn't so battered and bruised from the defeat by Celtic he couldn't think straight on the criticisms being put forward by his club's supporters.

Jelavic has been linked with several clubs in England and an assumption has been made that his indifferent form of late is down to a growing disinterest in playing for the Ibrox side.

But McCoist said: "I just can't accept that opinion. It's only natural to look at a dip in form where the team as a whole is concerned but I wouldn't single out any individual.

"My obvious answer to the question of Jelavic's displays is that, if he does want a move elsewhere, then he's going to have to play well for us to get one.

"You need to be on top of your game to attract interest.

"Speculation about a player's frame of mind has been going on for years. I know Nikica will be able to handle it because he's a strong-willed character."

How well everyone else can handle an unforgiving climate following Joe Ledley's goal for Celtic will be established at Ibrox in two days' time.

Rangers are on the bounce from two straight defeats to St Mirren and their oldest rivals.

McCoist's predecessor, Walter Smith, always summarised that set of circumstances as the stage at which an Old Firm manager could officially be declared to be functioning in a state of emergency.

But McCoist couldn't be accused of transferring the pressure on to the shoulders of his players when he spoke about the role they must now play, starting with the visit of Motherwell on Monday afternoon.

He said: "They don't need to prove themselves worthy of the Rangers jersey as they've been doing that for the last three title-winning seasons.

"But the time has come for them to step up to the plate. If we approach the game against Motherwell in the same manner as we did on Wednesday night, the vast majority of our fans will accept that.

"We have to show endeavour and commitment and try to win the game. If we show the same level of application we did against Celtic, with a little more luck and a little more flair, we'll be absolutely fine.

"We're off and running again. Everything starts on January 2. Forget the Old Firm game and forget we were top of the league.

"We now have to realise we're playing catch-up. We're second in the league and we're still well in the hunt to win the championship.

"It's probably a different mentality now to a degree. We're the hunter rather than the hunted and the need to win games is just as great.

"We have to string a good run of results together, just like we did at the end of last season. There's a need to hit a bit of form and put a good sequence of results together.

"I really believe we can do it. You hope one result will kick-start everything. You need a few results but it has to start somewhere and the game against Motherwell is the perfect place."

It was for Celtic when they won against Stuart McCall's team and embarked on a winning sequence that is now nine games old.

And McCoist says he understands why his team became the ninth SPL notch on Celtic's belt.

He said: We switched off for a second against Celtic and that lapse in concentration cost us the match.

"I thought Wednesday night was pretty tame for an Old Firm derby and I warned the players in the dressing room during the interval it was the type of game that might be decided from a set-piece.

"I was right about that – but it was at the wrong end of the ground for me."

It was at the same end of the ground where Rangers were denied what they thought was the opening goal of the game. But McCoist's admitted he wouldn't have given Lee Wallace a goal if he'd been the referee.

He added: "I can't get angry over the decision Willie Collum made to say the ball hadn't crossed the line.

"The referee had no chance of being able to tell from his angle.

"I only knew there was some dubiety because I saw the incident on television, so how can I blame the match officials?"

The part in bold....... really? will we?

[JograBear 1,082]

He really has lost it.

[The Monk 3,209]

Oh dear, suppose anyone else though Wednesday night and we'd have beaten them but not in an exciting and attractive manner.

[MCLACHLAN1 49]

Is he really so out of touch? Or just Thick?

[joker69 60]

We need a massive improvement.

I will only be happy with at least a 3-0 none of this "just enough" shite.

[King Jela 21,357]

I'd be happy if we set up against Motherwell the same way we did against Celtic if he was willing to drop his best mate and, despite the fact I actually really like Wallace, play natural wide players out wide.

Do what's best for the club you love instead of trying to keep your pals happy, Ally.

[DarcheVinny 1,003]

There is a lot to digest there, but one thing is for sure, this man is class.

He added: "I can't get angry over the decision Willie Collum made to say the ball hadn't crossed the line.

"The referee had no chance of being able to tell from his angle.

"I only knew there was some dubiety because I saw the incident on television, so how can I blame the match officials?"

When luck doesn't go your way, you accept it and move on...onwards and upwards.

I know the pressure is on now. Even I have been voicing my concerns over Ally and his ability to prove the majority of fans are wrong. I still believe though. I still believe he is the right man for the job. I don't have my head in the sand, I can see how awful we are playing, but this is the right man and he will turn it right around and we will celebrate four in a row.

[sassaaaa 11,406]

Did he actually say that sentence ????????

[GaryMc 2,401]

For the record I know I have been harsh on Ally but it is nothing personal. I love Ally but I am slowly losing faith in him more and more after every match and every interview he does.

I want him to succeed but when you look at the football, tactics and delusional interviews he's been doing I'm finding it hard to believe he is up to the job.

[GaryMc 2,401]

Did he actually say that sentence ????????

Yep, the link is in the OP.

[Craigie79 67]

"But the time has come for them to step up to the plate. If we approach the game against Motherwell in the same manner as we did on Wednesday night, the vast majority of our fans will accept that.

Its a must win game and we will i dont care how we get they 3 points on Monday.

[GaryMc 2,401]

"But the time has come for them to step up to the plate. If we approach the game against Motherwell in the same manner as we did on Wednesday night, the vast majority of our fans will accept that.

Its a must win game and we will i dont care how we get they 3 points on Monday.

I want 3 points as well but not in the same manner as we got beat on Wednesday.

All I seen on Wednesday was us running around chasing shadows, punting the ball long for 90 minutes then when things didn't go for us we started kicking out and starting silly wee spats. Add in bringing on Healy then I don't want to be reminded of Wednesday in any way or form ever again.

Not the manner I expect from us.

[Craigie79 67]

I want 3 points as well but not in the same manner as we got beat on Wednesday.

All I seen on Wednesday was us running around chasing shadows, punting the ball long for 90 minutes then when things didn't go for us we started kicking out and starting silly wee spats. Add in bringing on Healy then I don't want to be reminded of Wednesday in any way or form ever again.

Not the manner I expect from us.

Well a performance like that to win 1-0 sure beats a scintillating performance in a 1-1 draw.

I think the main part in that quote was the players have to step up to the plate ie the Midfielders

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

Is he really so out of touch? Or just Thick?

Imagine you calling someone else (anyone else, really) thick.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Misteral 2,947]

Most of us have started to really question his ability to motivate the players and also scratch our heads in wonder about his selection and substitution decision making process, not to mention his use of new squad members that he signed in the summer. But what should we do? Call for his head now? See what happens in January and re-assess? Wait to see how the rest of the season pans out? It's really difficult. He is Super Ally McCoist and a legend at our club. For me I have to give him a chance to prove he does have a clear idea of what he kind of team he wants and the direction the club should take to be successful in footballing terms. So far I'm not enamoured or convinced he does. He has until the end of the season to give me back my belief that he was the right man to take over fom Walter. I want that belief back, Ally

As they say in downtown Shanghai. "Jia you! Jia you!"

[Edmiston Drive 3,846]

Most of us have started to really question his ability to motivate the players and also scratch our heads in wonder about his selection and substitution decision making process, not to mention his use of new squad members that he signed in the summer. But what should we do? Call for his head now? See what happens in January and re-assess? Wait to see how the rest of the season pans out? It's really difficult. He is Super Ally McCoist and a legend at our club. For me I have to give him a chance to prove he does have a clear idea of what he kind of team he wants and the direction the club should take to be successful in footballing terms. So far I'm not enamoured or convinced he does. He has until the end of the season to give me back my belief that he was the right man to take over fom Walter. I want that belief back, Ally

As they say in downtown Shanghai. "Jia you! Jia you!"

So glad you never told what they say uptown Shanghai phewwwwwwwwwwwww.

[Misteral 2,947]

In uptown Shanghai it's not uncommon to hear................".Massagee. ..........massageee........happy ending...........very cheap! .

[ORCHARD LOYAL 119]

Cant see what all the fuss is about. When I first seen the teamsheet for the Celtic game, I have to say I was reasonably happy as it was a team set up to go out and win the game. Also cant believe some people on this forum who have been touting for Edu to be dropped for weeks, It doesnt really matter whether Jig or Edu start, they both contribute the exact same defensive duties for the team. There was no way Ally was going to the piggery with no Defensive midfielders in the team. Wallace on the left has been far more productive than Wylde in recent weeks and gets to the by line quite regular.

The over reaction to the piggery loss is unbelieveable. McCoist done his job and got the tactics right. He was even brave enough to make a prediction (which he shouldnt have of course) but the players let Rangers down, not Ally but the players because the didnt impose themselves enough. Ally went with as postive a line up as any manager going to Parkhead. If the disallowed goal had of stood, then it would have been a different story as the 1st goal in OF games are crucial. The Rangers team I watched didnt not lack committment but quality. The lack of quality is not Ally's fault either. He has been forced to bring in too many squad players who simply are not good enough for Rangers. Healy (as much as I love the guy), Ortiz, Bedoya, Mckay etc. I can understand why they have been brought in with the hope that at least one of them would take the SPL by storm. Other bargain buys like Goian, Boca and Wallace have been good so far.

The lack of investment by Craig Whyte in a striker in preseason and the loss of Naismith is the real problem.

What do some fans expect Ally to do. The team has come unstuck because of the lack of real competition for places and the lack of quality replacements when players are off form or injured.

However its still great to be a bear !

Many Rangers teams have went to Parkhead and put worst performances in than the one on wednesday nite. The one that big Lee got the header in the closing stages springs to mind. It was backs against the wall that night.

[Strayk9 3]

The bit that struck me as interesting was the quote:

He said: "They don't need to prove themselves worthy of the Rangers jersey as they've been doing that for the last three title-winning seasons.

Surely a player needs prove themselves (through performance) worthy every time they are fortunate enough to pull the shirt over their head? This sentence seems to go some way to explaining why McCulloch et al are constantly included in the team; They won the title before ergo they are good enough right now for the starting 11.