After the bitterly disappointing defeat at home to Hibernian on Sunday afternoon, Rangers manager Derek McInnes says he understands the supporters.
Derek McInnes' first home game in charge of Rangers turned from a dream to a nightmare on Sunday afternoon, as a stoppage time goal from visitors from Hibernian condemned the new manager's start to one draw and two defeats from his opening three games.
Such has been the disappointing start to life under the former Hearts manager, that some have suggested it is possible he loses his job in midweek if the team fail to progress in their Europa League qualifying second leg at home to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday evening.
However, if nothing else, it is fair to say that McInnes is feeling just as pained as any supporter. When addressing the media after the defeat to Hibs, the 55-year old said: "I'm not asking for more time. I understand the frustration, I share the frustration.
It's 15 years of frustration here at this club, nobody knows that more than me. One title win, the fans didn't even get to see the title win. So we're a by-product, every Rangers team is a by-product of that frustration. So the Rangers fans just want see their team winning, and we will get there.
It's not been the start that we wanted, but we will get the outcome that we [want to] get. And we have to work hard and stick together in the dressing room. But do I expect it to be any different to what we got today (fan reaction)? No, until we start winning, so I'm fine with that.
I'm not going to ask the fans for more patience, because I think the Rangers fans have been patient enough. So it's up to us to give them a winning team more often than not. And we will get there, we could do with some help [in the market] and we're working hard to try and get some bodies in. And we could do with a wee bit more luck than we got today certainly.
It's not been the start that we wanted, but we still intend on having the same outcome."
Truth be told, there are quite a few cliches in there, as expected from a football manager. Not the start we wanted, we will get there etc. Rangers fans have heard that a million times. But, you can appreciate that he is not asking for "more patience" as a lot of managers do. He is not requesting the fans get behind the team. He knows it's the team's job to give the fans a side they can get behind, not vice versa. So that is a positive.
Thursday night is absolutely huge for McInnes, more so than for the club generally. In fact, some of the more anti-McInnes fans feel that a win holds the club back, as it will keep him in a job. That is from the more cynical type anyway. As for him, and still the club overall, it is a big night at the office. Let's see what happens come 10pm on Thursday.
