Rude awakening for Rangers - McCoist

12 August 2012 08:17

Rangers manager Ally McCoist admits Peterhead have shattered any illusions his players may have had about success coming easy to them in the Irn-Bru Third Division this season.

The 2-2 draw at Balmoor was the first league fixture ever played by the Glasgow giants outside of Scottish football's top light, having lost their Clydesdale Bank Premier League status when the club was consigned to liquidation this summer.

McCoist said: "I'm not accusing them of anything but I did say to the players after the game that if any of them thought for a minute that they were going to turn up at these away grounds - or at home for that matter - and pick up three points without going through some hard work and earning the three points, that might just be a rude awakening to one or two."

McCoist praised his side's opponents and their manager Jim McInally.

"Peterhead battled for everything and Jim's team are the only team that deserve any plaudits today."

Teenager Barrie McKay opened the scoring with his first senior goal for Rangers but Peterhead hit back in the second half through Rory McAllister and Scott McLaughlin.

The Blue Toon looked set to claim a famous victory only for Rangers to rescue a point when a Kevin Kyle header appeared to be knocked over the line by Andy Little with a minute to go.

McCoist added: "I would hope if there was a lesson needing to be learned that today was the lesson. In any game of football, in any sport, you have to earn the right to play and earn the right to compete.

"Certainly in the second half, I thought there was a lot more desire from their front players to score a goal than there was from our lads to keep them out. Overall, I'm a bit shocked at how we defended. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with the way we defended in the second half."

Source: PA