Source: Team_Talk
Rangers v St Mirren reaction
Rangers boss Ally McCoist says their 1-1 draw against St Mirren is evidence the SPL title race is likely to throw up more surprises.[LNB] The Scottish champions headed into the clash at Ibrox seeking to extend their advantage over Celtic to 12 points, after their Old Firm rivals were forced to battle back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock earlier in the day.[LNB]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.[LNB]McCoist said: "You are always going to get games, and periods within games, where things don't go well.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]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.[LNB]McCoist added: "I'm not angry, I'm just a little bit disappointed with the way we performed.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]McCoist believes the international break may have contributed to the result, but insists it was no excuse for dropping points for the first time since being held on the opening day by Hearts.[LNB]The Rangers boss said: "An obvious reason was maybe one or two of the lads suffering a little bit from international games in midweek.[LNB]"That is in no way an excuse, not at all. We didn't pass the ball well enough, which has got nothing to do with travelling.[LNB]"We looked a little heavy-legged but it's not an excuse, as we should be playing a lot better than that.[LNB]"It was an opportunity for us to get another win and another three points and, quite frankly, I don't think we did enough to deserve it today."[LNB]The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Paul Gascoigne, who was a guest of his former club and thrilled fans with a half-time appearance on the pitch.[LNB]McCoist said of his old team-mate: "He was in great form. He came in to see us before the game and was looking really, really well.[LNB]"I believe he got a great reception at half-time, which I thought he would. It was thoroughly deserved and great to see."[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"The timing of the goal was fantastic. Sometimes if you put in the hard work and effort you get the rewards."[LNB]
