McCoist: No easy games

16 October 2011 07:35

Rangers manager Ally McCoist believes their 1-1 draw against St Mirren is evidence the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race is likely to throw up more surprises between now and the end of the season.

Victory over Saints would also have secured a 10th consecutive league win for McCoist's men, but they saw their impressive run ended after the Paisley club levelled deep in injury time.

McCoist said: "You are always going to get games, and periods within games, where things don't go well. Today was a day where we could have got away with it and we probably didn't deserve to. If it is a wake-up call, hopefully it's a welcome wake-up call."

He added: "There is absolutely miles and miles to go in this league campaign and I think today was evidence that there will be a lot of twists and turns between now and May."

Nikica Jelavic opened the scoring three minutes after the restart, but Rangers failed to deliver a second goal to snuff out the threat posed by Saints, and they levelled through former Light Blues striker Steven Thompson.

McCoist added: "I'm not angry, I'm just a little bit disappointed with the way we performed. I don't think there is anything to be angry about in terms of the work-rate and endeavour and what they put into the game.

"We just looked a bit heavy-legged and short, and we will look at it over the next 48 hours and see if we can get a reason for that."

Saints boss Danny Lennon had nothing but praise for his players for defying the odds at Ibrox by playing attractive football and securing a positive result.

He said: "It's the same getting a point here than it is anywhere else. I've just spoken to the players and let them know you're not supposed to come to Ibrox and play like that.

"You've no right to have the vast majority of the possession, but it's something we believe in and when it comes off it's beautiful to watch. The timing of the goal was fantastic. Sometimes if you put in the hard work and effort you get the rewards."

Source: PA