Source: Team_Talk
McCoist: Buddies are not dirty
The holders were leading through an early Andrius Velicka strike when, five minutes from the interval, the Rangers midfielder and Buddies' defender Will Haining both raised their feet as they challenged for the ball.[LNB]It was Mendes who came out worst and he was carried off to join the lengthy Ibrox injury list which already includes midfielders Lee McCulloch, DaMarcus Beasley, Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson.[LNB]The Rangers fans, mindful that Sasa Papac and Beasley had both been injured in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at St Mirren Park earlier in the month, gave Haining stick throughout the game.[LNB]However, McCoist moved to calm their anger by saying: "I don't think for a minute that St Mirren are a dirty team.[LNB]"The ironic thing is we have had three players carried off against them in the last two games, Papac, Beasley and obviously Mendes.[LNB]"They are a physical team and they play hard and it's just unfortunate.[LNB]"Pedro is very sore but the immediate reaction is that there is no ligament damage and hopefully that is the case.[LNB]"He has been iced up and there is a strapping on it but we will wait and see how the injury is over the next 24 hours."[LNB]Despite the departure of Mendes, Rangers cruised to the May 30 final meeting against Falkirk or Dunfermline with Kris Boyd scoring his 100th goal in a blue jersey.[LNB]Boyd, signed from Kilmarnock in January 2006, completed his ton in the 66th minute after midfielder Steven Davis set him up and Kenny Miller, who had replaced Velicka, grabbed a third. Boyd has split the Ibrox fans since signing from Kilmarnock in January 2006 with regards his work-rate and ability but his scoring record is remarkable.[LNB]McCoist, who became a legend at the club for his scoring exploits during the 1980s and 90s, revealed the former Killie player received special praise in the dressing room afterwards.[LNB]"It is a great achievement," McCoist said.[LNB]"We gave him a wee mention in the dressing room.[LNB]"I congratulated the boys for getting to the final and gave a special congratulations for Kris.[LNB]"It is the hardest job in football and he does that very, very well.[LNB]"I also felt that he played well. I had a chat with him at half-time and I told him he would earn his chances with the way he is playing.[LNB]"So I was delighted and he deserves all the plaudits."[LNB]St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson insists Haining made a fair challenge for the ball when he tackled Mendes.[LNB]He said: "I think Will has clearly won the ball, you could see the change in its direction.[LNB]"I don't think there is any malice. Will isn't that type of player, he is an honest centre-back."[LNB]MacPherson accepts the loss of an early goal left his side with an uphill battle but refused to blame the poor performance of £1million-rated midfielder Andy Dorman on the absence of Craig Dargo, who missed out with a torn thigh muscle.[LNB]He said: "It was disappointing to lose the early goal.[LNB]"Any manager would stress keeping it tight for the first 15 to 20 minutes but after that setback we passed the ball and showed composure.[LNB]"It was just in the final third that Rangers showed their quality.[LNB]"I don't think the loss of Craig affected Andy Dorman.[LNB]"It was always going to be difficult for every St Mirren player.[LNB]"Rangers made it difficult. They nullified the space and we didn't retain possession for long enough.[LNB]"We had the fear of the counter-attack and that's how they got the second goal and then the game was over.[LNB]"Craig has had a scan, there is swelling and it will probably be early next week before we understand the extent of it."[LNB][LNB]
