Alex McLeish says he is "strong enough" to handle the pressure of being the target of dissenting Aston Villa fans and urged them to throw their support behind his injury-hit team.
The former Birmingham manager was jeered during last week's goalless draw at Wigan, and Villa face Blackburn tomorrow without injured striker Darren Bent.
But McLeish, in a week where his club announced losses of nearly £54m, denied the fans' anger would affect him, saying: "It's never stopped me, I've never wavered in my commitment to Aston Villa... and the course we are taking. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me, that it was easy to handle and there was no pressure whatever. But I believe I'm strong enough and I've got the experience to handle it."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies