McCoist on hunt for World Cup bargains

19 June 2010 17:47
Ally McCoist has revealed he hopes to unearth a rough diamond at the World Cup to take back to Rangers this summer.[LNB] Ibrox assistant manager McCoist, who will succeed Walter Smith as boss in a year's time, is using his time as a television pundit in South Africa to scout for new players.[LNB]For the first time in almost two years, Rangers will have money to spend in the close season after the debt-laden club agreed a business plan with Lloyds Bank.[LNB]But McCoist warned they will be shopping in the bargain basement, telling BBC Scotland: "I have been watching all the games, but I am looking at teams like Australia, New Zealand, Honduras and teams like that to see if there is anything knocking about.[LNB]"I am not saying we don't have anything to spend, but any money we do get, we will have to spend very, very wisely."[LNB]Last week saw Rangers' majority shareholder and former chairman Sir David Murray take the club off the market after a suitable takeover offer failed to materialise.[LNB]McCoist said: "I had a hunch that's the way things were going. Well, nothing was going, there was no movement.[LNB]"There was supposed interest. It was all talk effectively and I think the ex-chairman just probably had enough and said, 'Right, if nobody's going to come in and make us an acceptable offer then we'll just take the club off the market'. So I would not say it was a massive surprise to me.[LNB]"The one thing about the owner and ex-chairman, I don't think anyone can deny his love for the club and his desire for the club to do well," said McCoist.[LNB]"He has been at the helm for a good number of years and, although he isn't chairman any more, nobody can argue that he hasn't got the club's best interests at heart."[LNB]Despite having already been named as Smith's successor, McCoist is taking nothing for granted. "I am realistic enough to know that a year's a long time in football," said the club's all-time record goalscorer.[LNB]"Without doubt, it would be the biggest honour that I could ever get or ever want.[LNB]"To play for the club you supported as a kid is one thing; to be there as a player for 15 years and then come back as a coach and assistant manager is fantastic and beyond most people's wildest dreams.[LNB]"But to actually become manager would be absolutely outrageous."[LNB]McCoist last night watched Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra successfully shackle Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey as Algeria held England to a goalless draw in World Cup Group C.[LNB]"A couple of times, Rooney and Heskey tried to take him on physically," McCoist said.[LNB]"They would probably win that battle against 95% of defenders at the World Cup. But Boughie is a big unit.[LNB]"He is a big lad and you don't push him about or knock him off the ball and he certainly stood up to the aggression of Heskey and Rooney, and I thought Bougherra played very well.[LNB]"All the good players from the game were Algerian."[LNB]Former Scotland striker McCoist added of England, who have just two points from their opening two games: "Make no mistake about it, they are really struggling.[LNB]"I watched the first game against the United States and they did all right.[LNB]"I thought they were the better team against the USA and you can't legislate for a goalkeeping howler that cost them two points.[LNB]"But I was at the game in Cape Town against Algeria and they were really poor. They look scared actually, as if they are playing with a little bit of fear."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk