I don’t need any help, says Gough

MARTIN McMILLAN January 27 2005

Richard Gough, the Livingston manager, insists he will not be looking for help from his former Ibrox connections ahead of his side's trip to Govan at the weekend.

The Rangers legend is finding his new life in management difficult, and after two months in charge, he sees his team still slumped at the foot of the Bank Of Scotland Premierleague.

He said: "Someone asked if that defeat against Hearts [2-1 on Tuesday] was a sore one to take, but I think I've taken more sore ones in my short managerial career than I did in my whole playing career.

"I knew that would happen. I was under no illusions when I came into the job and I'm learning things every day. I haven't really spoken to Walter Smith or anyone who I was with at Ibrox. I'll do it my way.

"Walter phoned me after Saturday's game against Inverness to see how I was coping, but there's not much people like Walter can say after that defeat against Hearts. You've just got to get on with it.

"I have a huge knowledge I can tap into and I'm not reluctant to do so, but it's down to me. Ibrox was a special place for me but this is a new adventure and I'm looking forward to taking my team there."

He added: "It's not a daunting prospect because I know the place well. I know I'm going there with a team that will find it very tough, but these are the places you want to play well.

"If we can take our earlier performance from Parkhead to Ibrox, then we'll be all right but we know it will be a difficult.

"The boys' attitude was very good against Hearts. It took a really good [Paul Hartley] free-kick to get [Hearts] back, and if anyone was going to win the game then it was going to be them, but that's the position we find ourselves in.

"If I get that commitment and attitude from now until the end of the season I'll be happy."

Meanwhile, Keith Wright has turned down the chance to take over the manager's post at East of Scotland side Gala Fairydean and will continue to help coach Livingston's youths.

Richard Gough, the Livingston manager, insists he will not be looking for help from his former Ibrox connections ahead of his side's trip to Govan at the weekend.

The Rangers legend is finding his new life in management difficult, and after two months in charge, he sees his team still slumped at the foot of the Bank Of Scotland Premierleague.

He said: "Someone asked if that defeat against Hearts [2-1 on Tuesday] was a sore one to take, but I think I've taken more sore ones in my short managerial career than I did in my whole playing career.

"I knew that would happen. I was under no illusions when I came into the job and I'm learning things every day. I haven't really spoken to Walter Smith or anyone who I was with at Ibrox. I'll do it my way.

"Walter phoned me after Saturday's game against Inverness to see how I was coping, but there's not much people like Walter can say after that defeat against Hearts. You've just got to get on with it.

"I have a huge knowledge I can tap into and I'm not reluctant to do so, but it's down to me. Ibrox was a special place for me but this is a new adventure and I'm looking forward to taking my team there."

He added: "It's not a daunting prospect because I know the place well. I know I'm going there with a team that will find it very tough, but these are the places you want to play well.

"If we can take our earlier performance from Parkhead to Ibrox, then we'll be all right but we know it will be a difficult.

"The boys' attitude was very good against Hearts. It took a really good [Paul Hartley] free-kick to get [Hearts] back, and if anyone was going to win the game then it was going to be them, but that's the position we find ourselves in.

"If I get that commitment and attitude from now until the end of the season I'll be happy."

Meanwhile, Keith Wright has turned down the chance to take over the manager's post at East of Scotland side Gala Fairydean and will continue to help coach Livingston's youths.

Taken from the Herald