Harlequins RL chairman Keith Hogg has laughed off suggestions that Brian McDermott's job is on the line by backing the under-fire coach.

In a tetchy press conference following Quins' 18-16 Millennium meltdown defeat to Catalan Dragons on Sunday, McDermott appeared to question the validity of Super League in London, as well as the attitude of his squad.

But Hogg has brushed aside all criticism of his coach.

He said: "If people are saying this could cost Brian his job, then they are totally wrong.

"Some external people are seeing things that are simply not there.

"Brian is a passionate person and it is no surprise that after the game he was incredibly frustrated. He wants to win and we have thrown away the past two fixtures.

"What probably happened was that Brian was very, very frustrated and, immediately after the game, he is thrown into a press conference.

"What we saw was an outpouring of emotion from a very passionate man and I have no problem with that."

McDermott's outburst stunned the national press pack, leading to wild rumours over his future.

But Hogg insists that the tough-talking boss was right to raise concerns.

He added: "Brian is quite right to question how we are doing things at Harlequins.

"There are things we have to look at - for example, we have to look at how we are travelling to away games and see if that is affecting things.

"At the end of the day, professional sport is about winning and that is what is frustrating me as much as Brian."