McCoist: Green's criticism 'spot on'

Saturday 9 March 2013

IT is an accusation that could never have been levelled at any team Ally McCoist played in at Rangers.

Ally McCoist is happy with the level of commitment show by his players this season. Picture: Rob Casey/SNS

Custom byline text:

Chris Jack

But the Ibrox manager won't point the finger at his players after they were the victims of some friendly fire this week.

In a radio interview on Thursday afternoon, the Rangers chief executive Charles Green claimed the current side were "probably the worst Rangers team that you have ever seen" and that fans, the board and McCoist weren't happy with the state of affairs.

Despite holding a massive lead at the top of the Irn-Bru Third Division, Rangers have often come in for criticism after a series of below-par displays. It's a fact that the players currently wearing the blue jerseys are a far cry from many who have gone before, with McCoist himself sharing a dressing room with some of the finest players to grace the sport in Scotland. The times have, of course, changed dramatically but, for now, McCoist is content with how his squad are shaping up. "I listened to the full interview," he said, "and he [Green] was 100% right in what he was saying. He was trying to give everybody a realistic idea of where we are at the moment. He was spot on. "The full interview is extremely positive and very, very honest about the facts of where we are in terms of the club, about the team and everything. The bottom line is we have a squad of players at this moment in time who are doing exactly what is asked of them. "At the start of the season, which Charles spoke about, it was shambolic through no fault of anybody's at the club, in terms of pre-season, in terms of players coming in and the objective was at the start of the season to get out of the division. Simple. Anything else like a cup run would have been a bonus. "But the bottom line is the players, who I would tell you have been absolutely fabulous in terms of their willingness to learn and to do what is asked of them, have got us 20 points clear in a league which we needed to get out of. So we have absolutely no complaints in terms of what the players are giving us. "Of course, there will be inconsistencies in levels of performances both as a team and as individuals, that is apparent with every team. But in terms of getting the job done and doing what was asked of them, at this moment in time, I am delighted with them." Questions may remain over the quality of player McCoist has at his disposal, but he can't do anything about it for some time. Rangers are unable to register new players until September 1, but McCoist is eager to make progress as he targets several Bosman signings in the summer. "We've got a big list but we are also at the stage of talking to agents about the possibility of players coming to the club to help the ones that are here." McCoist said. "It's very early stages just now, but there have been positive vibes from one or two players which is great." McCoist also confirmed his interest in Dundee United captain Jon Daly, Motherwell midfielder Nicky Law and Middlesbrough defender Andre Bikey. "That's the ideal scenario, to completely strengthen the squad and get back to a level where we want to be," added the Rangers manager. Following the publication this week of interim results which showed the Ibrox club posted a loss of £7m for the last seven months of 2012, McCoist added: "It's been made very apparent that the financial situation that was once at the club cannot be allowed to happen again. "Myself and every other supporter would echo those sentiments. That said, to get back to where we want to get to, there will have to be some form of investment in the playing squad. It's getting the balance right." As for his own position, McCoist had no issues with regards to remarks made by Green during Thursday's radio interview. Green commented: "I'm backing him and we are going to get through this. His job's safe, absolutely." McCoist admitted: "I would far rather have my position discussed when we're 20 points clear than 20 points behind, that's for sure. But it goes with the territory. I speak to Charles on a regular basis and I would have to say he was completely and utterly supportive – as I am of him." The Scottish Premier League, meanwhile, have not appealed the verdict of the commission they instructed to investigate whether or not Rangers' use of Employee benefit Trusts breached registration rules. The commission, led by Lord Nimmo Smith, revealed their judgment last Thursday that Rangers had breached non-disclosure rules, and fined Rangers Football Club plc, the club's previous owners, £250,000. Both parties had five working days in which to appeal the decision, but that deadline passed yesterday without the Scottish Football Association receiving any notice of appeal.

Contextual targeting label:

Sport

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

McCoist: Green's criticism 'spot on'

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED