McCoist tips Rangers to bounce back

06 March 2009 15:56
A last-minute penalty from Ian Black at Ibrox on Wednesday night was enough to knock Rangers off the summit of the SPL and put a major dent in their title hopes. They must now put league business to one side and focus on the defence of the Scottish Cup. But McCoist insists every single player is relishing the opportunity to make amends for the loss against a team struggling at the wrong end of the table. "We were really disappointed on Wednesday," said the Rangers assistant boss, who will again take charge of team affairs for the cup campaign. "I don't think we deserved to lose the game but we probably didn't do enough to win it. I don't think we played well. "But we will dust ourselves down and be ready to go for Sunday's game. "I'm just glad we've got a game this weekend. "Whether it's a league game or a cup game, we just want to get back out playing as soon as possible. "I feel that way and I know the players feel that way. So we are really looking forward to the game. "It's all about how you react to these disappointments and I'm sure our boys will react in the right manner." Rangers now trail Celtic by three points in the title race but McCoist added: "I certainly look for the plusses. "We were seven points behind Celtic after the defeat at Ibrox, now we are only three. "We've still got to play them so there is absolutely still everything to play for." The final Old Firm derby of the season will take place at Ibrox and Rangers know they will have to make the most of home advantage. But McCoist believes games against the other teams in the SPL could have as big a say in the eventual destination of the silverware. "I think there will be to-ing and fro-ing between now and the end of the season," he said. "Gordon Strachan went on record as saying that neither Rangers nor Celtic have shown real consistency this season and I would go along with that. "One of the reasons for that is that the rest of the teams are more than capable of taking points from the Old Firm now. "But, from our point of view, what we need to do is go on a consistent run of winning games. "If we can string a run of victories together, we won't be too far away." Rangers defeated Accies in the SPL last week and McCoist believes the 1-0 win so soon before the quarter-final can only be a positive ahead of the clash at Ibrox. "It's a help playing them again so soon because they are a good side," he said. "Wee Billy Reid has done remarkably well with Hamilton this season and they have been a credit to him. "They gave us a really tough game a week ago and I was delighted with the 1-0 win. "I totally expect a similar game in the respect that they'll make it very difficult for us." Rangers 1/5, Draw 11/2, Hamilton 12/1  

Source: Team_Talk