Ally McCoist does not accept that Rangers' lurch into administration has inevitably gone hand in hand with a downturn in form.
While the search for new owners for the Ibrox club continues, the Light Blues' boss watches results go from bad to worse. Due to injury and suspension, and having lost the services of Gregg Wylde and Mervan Celik, who both left after the club went into administration last month, McCoist had to cobble together a side for Saturday's visit to Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Despite a valiant effort the makeshift and youthful Govan side lost 2-1, their fourth defeat in six games which allowed Motherwell to go level on points in second place, but McCoist does not believe the stumble is inevitable. McCoist said: "No, I've not expected it."
He added: "I have to say I'm disappointed. I don't know if you agree with me, but I don't believe we deserved to lose the game. We just need to keep working at it.
"Sometimes you don't get what you deserve and it has been a disappointment. The administration thing has been a massive factor at this club, for supporters and staff. We lost two or three players out of that but it is an opportunity for the young boys to come in."
One of those young boys was Northern Ireland under-21 midfielder Andrew Mitchell, who was handed his debut.
However, with defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian suspended, and Steven Whittaker (hernia), Kyle Bartley and Kirk Broadfoot (both knee) still sidelined and Sasa Papac out with a knock, McCoist was unable to fill the bench, naming only five substitutes.
McCoist refused to name seven substitutes just to fill the bench.
"I thought about it but why should I?" said the former Rangers striker. "They have got to earn it. You do get injuries and suspensions, that's the way it goes, but I think the fact that we were struggling to fill a bench would indicate where we are.
"But why should I put kids on the bench who don't really deserve to be there?You have got to earn the right to be on the bench and that's the way it will always be at our club."
Source: PA
