The Light Blues gaffer was understandably down following the Scottish Cup defeat at Hearts at the weekend, but has picked himself up to look forward to the challenges ahead.
He told this morning’s press conference: “I’m okay, I’m good. I’m ready for the next challenge, which is Hamilton tomorrow. But yes, from the end of the game at the weekend, which was bitterly disappointing, I have done a real, lot of thinking to myself and shared those thoughts with some people who are around me.
“I think they are going to need some help and support, of course, but I was thinking that even when, say before Christmas, when we had been ever-so consistent and were really flying and full of confidence and performing ever-so well.
“In my own spare time of reflecting and analysing where we were at that time, I still thought to create and produce a winning team, at every opportunity, you are still going to have to give them some help and support and strengthening.
The manager was quizzed about the fluctuating form between European competition and domestic matches, and he continued: “That is the challenge for me and my staff – and that is why I am given this responsibility – to solve problems and find solutions.
“We are always going to be challenged here at Rangers, for sure. We are always going to have good times and we are always going to have times where we are hurt and we have to feel some pain and suffer.
“But then, 72 hours later, we don’t do ourselves justice and we don’t play anywhere near good enough to keep us in a very important cup competition.
“But that is an exciting challenge for me – of course, I’d love nothing better than to still be in that competition, but I don’t fear that challenge. I am really excited to try and find that solution.”
The manager gave an update on Alfredo Morelos, after he missed the game with Hearts, adding: “Yes. He has been disciplined internally, which he has accepted and he has shown a lot of remorse for his actions – letting his teammates down and letting the supporters down.
“So he has accepted his punishment which will stay private for obvious reasons, but yes, he is available for selection.”
Meanwhile, he also gave an injury update, saying: “Ryan Jack has a bruise underneath his heel, so he won’t be involved tomorrow – I think he has a small chance for the weekend, but I’d still say he is a doubt.
“I’d say Ryan has a small chance for the weekend, but Scott is a big doubt for the weekend.
“Filip Helander is back in full training on Friday, which is a big boost and a big bonus for us, and Matt Polster will be back in training on Friday – he has a bit of a hamstring issue.”