Source: Team_Talk
McCoist defends squad rotation
The holders made no fewer than six changes from the side who defeated Hibernian in style in the Scottish Premier League as they scraped a late win against Saints at Ibrox on Wednesday night.[LNB]Players such as Kenny Miller, Steven Whittaker and Sasa Papac were rested, while the likes of Steven Smith and Maurice Edu were given a run-out from the start.[LNB]But McCoist says Rangers are simply trying to make the best use possible of a more compact squad than previous seasons, with some players still trying to regain match fitness after injury and others in need of some respite.[LNB]He said: "It was really pleasing because we had five or six changes tonight and it's important that we have a full squad to pick from.[LNB]"You then have one or two options in terms of changing things and resting boys and keeping them fresh.[LNB]"It's important to mention that just because you change the team, it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing it to underestimate the opposition - far from it.[LNB]"We did change it but the boys who went out did a good job. They took their time but we have the next tie against Dundee United, which was the whole objective."[LNB]Kris Boyd grabbed the only goal of the game with just four minutes to go to prevent the tie requiring extra time - like the previous round against Hamilton.[LNB]McCoist added: "I wouldn't say they gave us a bit of a fright - they gave us what we expected them to give us.[LNB]"I've seen them a few times and they are really well drilled, well organised, and they've got boys who are working hard for their team-mates. That's what they gave us."[LNB]Saints boss Gus MacPherson watched his side give Rangers another tough outing after holding them to a goalless draw at the first time of asking and felt his players deserved some credit.[LNB]He said: "I thought we played pretty well and we defended well for the majority of the game.[LNB]"It was just maybe in that last 10 minutes that Rangers put us under more pressure. Rangers made six changes and we can't do that so it's credit to the group we have because they just keep turning out those performances."[LNB]Both teams will meet again in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final next month but MacPherson insists it is too early to contemplate what sort of challenge they will provide at Hampden.[LNB]"We are not even thinking about the cup final yet," said the Buddies boss.[LNB]"There are far too many important games to come before then. That will take care of itself.[LNB]"We have to wait and see what players we've got at our disposal and whether we can play the same way because we already know the squad is thin as it is."[LNB]MacPherson is now sweating over the fitness of Jack Ross, who was expected to have an X-ray on his lower leg after the game last night following a collision with Kyle Lafferty.[LNB]Asked if he expects the full-back to be available for the League Cup final, MacPherson replied: "It's impossible to tell at this stage."[LNB][LNB]
