Rangers manager Paul Le Guen claimed he was being undermined by Barry Ferguson and had no option but to strip the Scotland midfielder of the captaincy.
But Le Guen admits that the controversial decision could ultimately cost him his own job.
"He tries to have too much influence," he said after the defeat of Motherwell.
"I thought of the interests of the team, the squad and Rangers. You need to have a captain who gives the right message and provides an example."
The decision has stunned fans and some protested inside and outside Fir Park after the Rangers diehard was dropped from the side.
"Fans must be aware that it's not a whim," said Le Guen, who claims to have the backing of chairman David Murray.
"I know that the situation of a manager in this case is precarious.
"When you have someone you feel undermines you, it becomes harder and harder""I have been patient, but I took a decision. After that decision, it is not up to me to say if I will be here during the following months.
"If I go, I go, but I want to do my job with respect."
Asked whether Ferguson will ever play for him again, Le Guen replied: "I don't know. Perhaps it would be difficult.
"If he comes back to play with me, he must show other behaviour.
"When adversity is outside, it is okay - you stick together and fight together.
"But, when you feel the adversity is inside, it's complicated.
"When you have someone you feel undermines you, it becomes harder and harder."
Le Guen and Ferguson have recently fallen out about the importance of the captaincy, which the 28-year-old held so proudly.
The Frenchman had also been angry that the Scotland captain had arranged a Christmas night out for the players against his wishes.
Gavin Rae, who has been a fringe player at Ibrox, captained Rangers against Motherwell.
"He is clever and puts the team first," explained Le Guen.
"Barry is talented and I know that the captain I had was less talented and that we had a less talented team, but I know it was the right decision.
"We showed great team spirit against Motherwell and that does not surprise me as we have good guys in the team."
Le Guen insisted said that Ferguson would be asked to continue to train with the first-team in an attempt to win his place back.
However, it appears to be no coincidence that the decision was taken at the opening of the January transfer window.
Murray flew back from France to hold crisis talks with the player, who is understood to have left Monday's meeting with Le Guen in tears.
It appears that views between the Frenchman and Ferguson became heated after the midfielder was told he was being dropped for the visit to Fir Park.
606: DEBATE
Ferguson then refused to train with the first-team squad and asked for a black bag with which to gather his belongings.
Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds knows Ferguson well.
"Barry turned up for training, put his training gear on and was summoned to the manager's office," said Dodds.
"He was told he would never play for Rangers again as long as Le Guen was manager.
"Barry asked the reason why and was told he just did not get on with him - and that's incredible.
"In football, you have to play with people you don't get on with for the good of the team."