 Time is running out for McLeish |
Under pressure Rangers manager Alex McLeish insists he is up to the challenge of saving his job. McLeish has been told that his position will be reviewed next month after a poor start to the season.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to try to turn things around," McLeish told the club website.
"It's a real test but I don't fear it. I was a little bit uneasy and a little bit in limbo because it was a case of you must win this one or that one."
Rangers are 12 points behind Celtic and Hearts in the Premier League and have recorded just two wins in their last 11 outings.
Last week's CIS Insurance Cup exit to Celtic prompted Ibrox chairman David Murray to go public with his short-term support for the manager.
But that means a marked improvement in difficult away games at Celtic, Porto and Hibernian is required to ease the pressure on McLeish.
 |  It's easy to lose focus with all this hysteria |
"Only time will tell if we come through," added McLeish. "But it won't be for lack of trying.
"I think the players are capable of doing it but they must have self-motivation.
"When you are a Ranger you have to have that inner belief."
Midfielder Alex Rae has urged his Rangers team-mates to do all they can to save McLeish his job.
"Most of the players are Alex McLeish signings and we want to do well for him, as well as ourselves," said Rae.
"He was the guy who gave us our chance and we want to do well for him. I'm sure we can turn things around."
Rae insists the speculation over the manager's future over the last few weeks has affected the performances of the players.
"It doesn't help," he admitted. "It's a bit over the top for my liking.
"The guy has brought unbelievable success to Rangers over the last few years and, after the first hiccup, they want him out of the door.
"It's a bit ferocious.
"I'm pleased the chairman has backed him because it's easy to lose focus with all this hysteria.
"It's difficult for the players when you don't know what's happening on any given day and there is speculation.
"It makes it more difficult but we have a job to do and it's important to focus on that."
MMIX
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