McCoist eyeing two home wins to take Rangers ten points clear of Celtic in SPL

Ally McCoist clearly relished the opportunity which has been afforded his side due to a combination of fixture re-scheduling and Celtic’s own European commitments. Last weekend’s Old Firm victory has also helped create a situation where Rangers can continue to invite Celtic to play catch-up.

There was more disheartening news for Celtic yesterday as the Rangers manager revealed he has “no problems regarding team selection”, although this was prior to hearing that Steven Naismith, the Scottish Premier League’s top scorer, has been handed a two match ban having been caught on camera elbowing Austin McCann during the 4-0 victory over Dunfermline on Saturday. With Rangers having declined to appeal, the striker will now sit out tonight’s clash with Kilmarnock and will also miss this weekend’s hosting of Hibs. The Ibrox side are in rude health otherwise, however.

Four previously injured players have returned to the squad for tonight’s rearranged match. The return of David Weir, Lee Wallace, Matt McKay and Jamie Ness has given the manager options but such was Rangers’ dominance on Saturday against Dunfermline there might not be too much need to change a winning formula. The manager was reminded of the inherent dangers when he last did so, against Falkirk in the Scottish Communities League Cup on Wednesday.

However, the league has continued to prove a fruitful environment for McCoist, whose side have dropped just two points in eight outings.

“I cannot speak for Celtic but psychologically, from our point of view, it would be a real boost,” said McCoist, when asked about the possibility of Rangers’ stretching their lead at the top to ten points with two further victories this week. “You get asked if it is an advantage, but it is only an advantage if you win the games and take the points.

“It is a great opportunity for us but at this moment in time that is all it is. It is an opportunity to open up a gap, to go and win another two games, obviously starting with tomorrow night’s game.”

Rangers have won all of their five away league fixtures during the campaign thus far. At home, however, they have not always looked so dominant. Only against Celtic, swept away 4-2 following a rampant second half performance, have McCoist’s side appeared firmly in control. “I felt in the Aberdeen game we did not play particularly well,” said McCoist. “I thought in the second half against Hearts we did fine, and the first half Hearts deserved a lot of credit. It is important you win your home games. Maybe we just have not been firing on all cylinders at home.

Weir’s return to the fold, after his recovery from a hamstring strain, has given McCoist a pleasant selection headache. The manager has praised the central defensive partnership of Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goia on numerous occasions of late. Both players have also been helpful at the other end of the park, having provided a goal each in Rangers’ last two outings.

McCoist floated the idea of playing a three man defence and is confident that any of his centre back options – Kyle Bartley has started running in training, but remains a “wee bit away” following a recent hernia operation – could adapt to this formation. However, Bocanegra and Goia are the men in possession of the jerseys at present.

“The two lads have been very stable and very secure,” said McCoist. “You can see they are experienced players who know the game and have played the game at a good level. They have a good understanding with each other and they just defend well.”

McCoist added to the chorus of praise for midfielder Maurice Edu, reiterating Gregg Wylde’s description of him as a “player’s player” and pointing out that, while the American has had his critics, he has never hidden. “If you asked any of his team-mates what they think of him they would say he does do some great work,” he said of Edu, who scored his second goal of the season against Dunfermline on Saturday.

“Of course, there are times in games, where like everybody else, he does things that he should not but people make mistakes. This is a tough club to play for and the most important thing is to play when things are not going well.”