McCoist throws down gauntlet

30 September 2011 16:31
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has challenged his players to earn the win over Hibernian that will send them 10 points clear at the SPL summit.[LNB] Victory at Ibrox on Saturday would allow the Scottish champions to strengthen their grasp on top spot, although rivals Celtic would have two games in hand ahead of their clash with Hearts on Sunday.[LNB]But McCoist warned that talk is cheap and insist Rangers will have to pull out all the stops to claim victory over a side he believes will pose a real threat.[LNB]He said: "It would be a big boost for us, of course it would be, to go 10 points clear, albeit Celtic would have two games in hand. It would be a massive boost for us.[LNB]"But you've got to earn it. It's all ifs and buts and if this happens or that happens. We have to go and beat a team tomorrow who I think are a very, very dangerous team.[LNB]"I'm obviously going to say that I would rather we didn't talk about it. But it's there, the statistic is there - if we win our game, we will go 10 points clear. That is a fact.[LNB]"But we've still got to do it. We can talk about it for a long time but the only people who can make it happen are the players out on the park.[LNB]"We have been really pleased with the league results but it will take another performance again for us to get those three points.[LNB]"You'd have to say that Celtic will have a chance of winning their game on Sunday so we are doing no more than looking to beat Hibs on Saturday.[LNB]"If we do win the game, it will create a gap. But the best way to put it is, I'm not looking to create a gap, I'm looking to win three points."[LNB]Hibs may be languishing in tenth position at the moment but did manage to register a shock 3-0 win at Ibrox last November.[LNB]McCoist added: "It will be really difficult because we are talking about a side who came to Ibrox at roughly this stage last year and beat us 3-0 very, very comfortably.[LNB]"We don't really need reminded of it but I will give the boys a wee reminder before the game."[LNB]McCoist has almost a full squad to choose from, with only youngster Kane Hemmings and on-loan Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley out of action.[LNB]Bartley is recovering from a hernia operation and McCoist is hopeful he will be back in contention soon.[LNB]He said: "Kyle is out running at the moment and looking really well.[LNB]"I would hope to have him back just after the international break. I'm looking forward to that headache.[LNB]"The injury was a setback but the big lad just wants to play games and it will be great to have him back."[LNB]McCoist did not have his injury worries to seek earlier in the season but admits his biggest problem now is trying to keep his entire squad of players happy with so much competition for places.[LNB]He said: "I think that's part and parcel of management to be honest.[LNB]"You have to make decisions that you feel will be the best for the team and the club in terms of picking sides to win games.[LNB]"That isn't going to please everybody but as long as you know you are being honest with yourself and picking teams and players that you feel are right, that's all that matters.[LNB]"I've seen it from both sides. I've been a player who's been left out and I'm a manager who is leaving players out so I can totally understand the frustration from the players' side and I can totally understand the decision from management.[LNB]"My door is always open and there has already been one or two in it this season.[LNB]"Nine times out of 10 they probably still won't agree with you when they leave but at least they want to come in and hear it from you and I think the deserve that."

Source: Team_Talk