Ally McCoist knows he must take responsibility for results as Rangers manager but is looking to beat Celtic on Sunday.
Rangers manager happy to take responsibility for results
Ally McCoist knows he must take responsibility for results as Rangers manager but admits it was difficult to accept when he first took the job that it is the players who ultimately have total control over what happens on the pitch.
Rangers are currently preparing for the latest Old Firm game at Ibrox on Sunday in the knowledge that fierce rivals Celtic could clinch the title, depending on Motherwell's result 24 hours earlier.
Gers, meanwhile, will be aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat for the first time in their history and McCoist is well aware that he must be judged on how Rangers perform.
He has nevertheless admitted his frustration at being unable to have a major influence on the action on the park.
Asked about the differences between being a player and a manager, Rangers' record goalscorer said: "The obvious one would be that the buck stops with you.
"When you're manager there's nothing you can do really when the players cross over the white line.
"You can make tactical changes and things like that but it's out of your hands.
"The players are in total control of the game so you have to accept that. I won't lie to you - I found it difficult to accept early on.
"You have to appreciate the players have got a job to do and you send them out to do that. That's probably the hardest part.
"With the result, the onus is on you as manager whether you win, lose or draw."
Bragging rights
Being plunged into administration last month - and immediately docked 10 points by the SPL as a result - effectively ended Rangers' hopes of retaining the championship.
But, as far as McCoist is concerned, pride is always at stake in the famous fixture.
He said: "It's everything, really. It's bragging rights until you play each other again. It's putting one over on your biggest rivals. It's all that.
"I've got mates who are Celtic supporters as well and I've been at both ends.
"You can give them a bit of stick and obviously when things don't go your way, you get a bit back. To supporters it means absolutely everything.
"These are the biggest days in the footballing calendar and there's nothing better than putting one over on your biggest rivals."
