KENNY McDowall admitted last night that he had simply reached the tipping point at Rangers - and that his decision to step down was made for the sake of his family.

The caretaker manager, who will see out a 12 month notice period after tendering his resignation on Monday, has cited the drain and the strain of three and a half years of chaos and turmoil as finally getting too much for him. He handed in his resignation last week, a man who has simply had enough.

"Barry Ferguson has been quoted as saying it's an incredible job," he said. "Who wouldn't want to manage a job of this size with all of the potential?

"I am not any different from anyone else but unfortunately the circumstances are what they are. I've made my decision for myself and my family and that's where I am at the moment.

"Did I ever think I would be leading out a Rangers team on a Saturday? Absolutely not. It's been incredible for me personally.

"I was surprised to be appointed - I can't say I expected it. I'm not going to say I had my boots all polished and I was ready to step in.

"Of course, it was a big task but I was probably as experienced as anybody out there given what I have learned over my career.

"But absolutely it's a daunting task. You have to get on with it. It's a great opportunity and a massive honour for me to be the caretaker manager for the team I supported as a boy.

"Never in a million years would I have thought I would be leading the team out on a Saturday and that's why it was such a difficult decision.

"To be quite frank the last four years have been tough. That aside I have been nearly 18 years at the Old Firm and it takes its toll on you.

"I just told the club I'm happy to honour my contract for the next 12 months and then step aside.

"I'm not complaining because you can't be involved in clubs like these and not have stress - it's all part and parcel of the job.

"I have had fantastic times but I just feel I will do my 12 months then step aside, take a break and see where it takes me. It's maybe time I had a break."

It seems implausible that McDowall can simply work on for 12 months. Will he join Ally McCoist on gardening leave? Will he reach a settlement with the board? Something surely has to give.

Of course, he will give his all to the job as things stand and try to get the best out of the squad but that would appear to be a challenge.

As he prepares to take the team for a fourth time at Cowdenbeath today he said: "I wouldn't disagree with you. When the news came out I had to get the boys in the next morning and explain my situation.

"There are a lot of boys out of contract in the summer too so all I could do was be as honest as I can over why I did it.

"I told them they have to play for themselves and they have to look after their own futures.

"I keep harping on but it's not been an easy ride in here for the last four years and the way they have applied themselves has been immense.

"I'm still in it and I'm focused on winning the game at Cowdenbeath and we need to try and peg Hearts back."