Rangers manager Ally McCoist admits the sacrifices of his players - especially the younger ones - have given him the strength to carry on through the club's most difficult period.
McCoist faces a crisis at the back as his side meet Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with six defenders missing but such selection issues have been the least of his problems since Rangers went into administration on February 14 and he is looking forward to the normality of a game after a two-week absence.
The Rangers boss said: "Two of the most important things in these trying times are the welfare of the club going forward and, just as importantly, the welfare of the people within the club in terms of their livelihoods and their jobs. The last three or four days have certainly been a lot more positive."
He added: "The players have obviously made sacrifices. It was a fantastic gesture to keep people in jobs. Some of my young players have been absolutely outstanding.
"I've had discussions and chats with my younger kids and they have really given me some strength to move forward, kids that really can't afford to give up much.
"Some of the things they have been willing to give up have been really heart-warming. There has been a big, big ask of a lot of people and I'm thrilled and delighted we have come through to this point."
Some of the players insisted on a clause in their altered contracts allowing them to leave if majority shareholder Craig Whyte regained control of the club.
When asked about these caveats, McCoist said: "I can understand individuals having certain concerns.
"That's for them and their agents to have discussions with the administrators.
"I certainly wasn't party to any of the agreements but I can understand the concerns."
Source: PA
