McCoist confident despite setback

27 July 2011 06:30

Ally McCoist remains confident that Rangers can get past Malmo in their Champions League third qualifying round even though that will require making club history.

The Scottish champions have never won a European tie after losing the first game at home and they will have to rectify that following their 1-0 defeat to the Swedes. Daniel Larsson's first-half strike gave the impressive visitors a deserved win and they must be favourites to complete the job at home next Wednesday.

However the Rangers boss said: "I do believe that we created enough in the second half to indicate that the tie is far from over."

He added: "I do believe that we can go over there and score so there is plenty to play for.

"Crazy as it may seem, the way the game was going, the most important thing was that we didn't lose a second goal. Another goal against would have been a real, real problem.

"One of the worrying things from our point of view is that we didn't start the game well.

"I sat here on Saturday and said the same thing after the Hearts game. The standard of goals we are losing is certainly worrying.

"There is a lack of sharpness and hopefully it is because it is early on in the season but you have to get over that and that's what they will have to do.

"We know what we have to do. We have to score or we are out the competition."

Asked if he believed his side were now favourites, Malmo coach Rikard Norling said: "No. We have to remind ourselves who we are playing, in the sense that our performance was very good and they will not be pleased by theirs. We could feel the qualities they have. It is only half-time."

Source: PA