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I had the most unreal afternoon of my managerial career last Saturday. I can honestly say I've never felt as sick to my stomach as I did from lunchtime until getting home at night. The game flew by and we played as well as we have since I arrived, but having left Crystal Palace just a few weeks ago it was difficult. I expected a barrage of criticism when I came out but the Palace fans were fantastic and I have to say their reception made me feel quite emotional. When the Rangers fans asked for a wave later on I couldn't bring myself to do it in front of the Palace fans because I felt so much respect for them.
Over the last two-and-a-half years I don't think I have ever worked as hard at a football club and we really had achieved an awful lot – and people don't know half the things that go on behind the scenes. The last six months were particularly difficult and I can't praise the players at Palace enough for the way they handled everything, so although we were very good on the day I actually felt gutted for the lads I'd left behind, and the fans, and I couldn't wait to get off at the end.
The points were obviously welcome. While we had only lost two games in the 10 since I've been at Rangers, we hadn't won for seven. Even so, we're still scrapping to get the points on board to ensure we have Championship football at Loftus Road again next season and today face Cardiff who are hoping to be in the Premier League next season.
Last year I thought they'd win the play-offs and was surprised when they did not even qualify, this year I'm sure they'll be in the play-offs. Then on Tuesday it's another relegation battle with Watford. Like us they started the season well but will be happy when it ends, if it ends the right way. I've a lot of time for Malky Mackay, their manager, who has done a good job in difficult circumstances.
A case of laughing in the face of adversity
There was an unbelievable, shocking start, to Saturday's game. From kick-off the ball was played down the line, Calvin Andrews and Damion Stewart both went up for the ball and battered each other. Damion was completely out of it, Calvin somehow got up and carried on for a while with a lump the size of an egg on the back of his head, and I don't mean a chicken's egg, more like an ostrich's.
Damion was carried off and taken to hospital. Straight after the game we were informed scans had shown a crack in the skull and some blood around the area which were giving concern to the neurologists, but I am pleased to say that he was discharged yesterday. The doctors will continue to monitor him and hopefully he will get the all-clear to start pre-season training.
I told the squad on Thursday there'd been a major development with Damion. They looked at me nervously. So I told them the neurosurgeon had a problem with the brain scan: he couldn't find a brain. When I told Damion he laughed, you can laugh at adversity when you know everything is all right.
Over the last two-and-a-half years I don't think I have ever worked as hard at a football club and we really had achieved an awful lot – and people don't know half the things that go on behind the scenes. The last six months were particularly difficult and I can't praise the players at Palace enough for the way they handled everything, so although we were very good on the day I actually felt gutted for the lads I'd left behind, and the fans, and I couldn't wait to get off at the end.
The points were obviously welcome. While we had only lost two games in the 10 since I've been at Rangers, we hadn't won for seven. Even so, we're still scrapping to get the points on board to ensure we have Championship football at Loftus Road again next season and today face Cardiff who are hoping to be in the Premier League next season.
Last year I thought they'd win the play-offs and was surprised when they did not even qualify, this year I'm sure they'll be in the play-offs. Then on Tuesday it's another relegation battle with Watford. Like us they started the season well but will be happy when it ends, if it ends the right way. I've a lot of time for Malky Mackay, their manager, who has done a good job in difficult circumstances.
A case of laughing in the face of adversity
There was an unbelievable, shocking start, to Saturday's game. From kick-off the ball was played down the line, Calvin Andrews and Damion Stewart both went up for the ball and battered each other. Damion was completely out of it, Calvin somehow got up and carried on for a while with a lump the size of an egg on the back of his head, and I don't mean a chicken's egg, more like an ostrich's.
Damion was carried off and taken to hospital. Straight after the game we were informed scans had shown a crack in the skull and some blood around the area which were giving concern to the neurologists, but I am pleased to say that he was discharged yesterday. The doctors will continue to monitor him and hopefully he will get the all-clear to start pre-season training.
I told the squad on Thursday there'd been a major development with Damion. They looked at me nervously. So I told them the neurosurgeon had a problem with the brain scan: he couldn't find a brain. When I told Damion he laughed, you can laugh at adversity when you know everything is all right.
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