Dundee United midfielder John Rankin insists the blame for Jackie McNamara’s exit lies with the players.
Life without McNamara begins in earnest today at Firhill when the second-bottom Tangerines take on basement boys Partick Thistle in a crucial Premiership clash.
Rankin revealed that the mood among the players during training this week has been good under the command of caretaker coach Dave Bowman and captain Sean Dillon.
However, that doesn’t mean that there have not been regrets among the squad members for the pivotal role they have played in ending their gaffer’s Tannadice reign.
Rankin, one of the most senior and influential players at United, looked back on the sorry affair that unfolded after the 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone last Saturday and wished it had all turned out so differently.
He said: “We didn’t really find out as such but we were aware something was going on directly after the game.
“The manager had spoken to us and made us aware that something was going to happen. What that was exactly, we did not know.
“We did realise on Monday morning when the coaching staff didn’t appear and Bow was in put in charge what was up.
“The manager was obviously under pressure and you could hear that was the case but we didn’t know if the rest of the coaching staff were going to stay or go.
“Then, on Monday night, we found out when it was confirmed in a message from the club to let us know about it.
“All four coaches going made it that wee bit harder because over nearly three years we had become friends in a way.
“I have been in this business long enough, though, to know that it is a results-based business and that the bottom line was we hadn’t been achieving good enough results.
“It is difficult because you don’t want to see anyone lose their job but that’s the way football is and we need to move on.
“I don’t think, from a player’s point of view, that we have done enough.
“When you look at the positions we have been in during certain games we have just not done enough to go and keep the manager in a job.
“We have to take responsibility for that.
“Game management this season hasn’t been our strongest point and we have conceded goals at bad times.
“There is great attacking ability in the team and we can score goals but we have not been keeping them out.
“There is no one player responsible for what’s happened. We have all made mistakes in games, be it not taking a chance, conceding a chance or causing a goal.
“In certain matches we have done well but then you get Hamilton away and then Saturday against 10 men when it looked at times that it was St Johnstone who had the 11 men not us.
“You do look at us, though, and say that it’s a strong squad with a lot of great players in it.
“That’s why it will be a great job for somebody to take on.
“But it’s all right saying all the right things as players.
“It’s one thing to talk a good game but that’s no good unless we go out there and win matches.
“We almost need to prove ourselves all over again after what’s happened.
“Where we are in the league two points off bottom – is not good enough for a club of the size and stature of Dundee United.
“We need to go out there, wear our hearts on our sleeves and sweat blood and tears for three points.”
Rankin had some experienced words of advice for the United youngsters, many of whom will be experiencing managerial upheaval for the first time in their careers.
He said: “You need to advise them that they are playing for their futures.
“Whatever team Bow picks we all need to impress him because you never know for sure that he won’t be the next manager.
“Either that or there could be someone sitting in the stand watching and paying attention.
“A new manager can come in and bring in his own ideas and even his own players.
“The young ones will get experience because of this and they will realise, like me and the other senior players do, that this is what happens in football.
“So everyone in our first-team squad has something to play for.”