Trophy haul the true test of Ally McCoist pedigree

[ian1964 10,626]

The international break may not have provided the Rangers squad with much respite but, as the focus shifted from light to dark blue, Ally McCoist has been given time to take stock and plan ahead.

 

McCoist will welcome his star players back to Murray Park today as thoughts turn to Saturdayâ??s trip to Tannadice and the resumption of a title challenge that has provided a welcome break from his European disappointments.

 

Having been eliminated from the Champions League and Europa League, by Malmo and Maribor, the pressure has grown on McCoist to deliver domestic silverware in his first season since being named as Walter Smithâ??s successor.

 

Rangers have been over the course before, but can they last the distance this time around?

 

 

 

GOALKEEPER

 

The summer transfer window may have been a frenetic time for McCoist as he scoured the globe in search of reinforcements, but his mind will have been put at ease knowing that sourcing a new goalkeeper was not on his to-do list.

 

After agreeing a new long-term contract with Allan McGregor, only a huge, multi-million pound bid could have tempted Rangers into doing business for the man who has nailed down his place as No.1 for club and country.

 

McGregor is undoubtedly one of Rangersâ?? most sellable assets, but his departure would have seriously hampered the Gersâ?? chances of retaining their SPL crown. In Neil Alexander, McCoist has an able deputy but, in McGregor, he has one of the best in the business.

 

 

 

DEFENCE

 

McCoistâ??s last line of defence may be cemented, but the Ibrox boss has not had his troubles to seek when attempting to field his first-choice back four as injuries took their toll.

 

With the departure of Madjid Bougherra finally being signed off and captain David Weir in his 41st year, defensive re-inforcements were vital in the summer for Rangers.

 

The capture of Lee Wallace, in a £1.5million deal from Hearts, could prove a shrewd piece of business. The fee may have been considerably more than the £300k initially offered, but the left-back has shown signs of promise in his outings so far before injury struck against Maribor.

 

On the other flank, Steven Whittaker, fresh from a summer of protracted contract talks, will maintain his grip on the right-back berth, with Kirk Broadfoot again understudy.

 

After bringing Weir, Carlos Cuellar and Madjid Bougherra to Ibrox, Walter Smith proved himself a master at signing central defenders and McCoist will hope that his two attempts, Dorin Goain and Carlos Bocanegra, prove just as successful, with Ross Perry showing he is more than capable of stepping in when required and Kyle Bartleyâ??s promise already well known by the Ibrox crowd after last seasonâ??s loan spell.

 

 

 

MIDFIELD

 

In Weirâ??s injury-induced absence, Steven Davis has assumed the captainâ??s armband this season and, with his place in his natural central midfield role now seemingly assured, the Northern Irishman will feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

 

So often the driving force, Davisâ??s contribution will be crucial in the quest for four-in-a-row, but McCoist has options as to who partners him.

 

Lee McCulloch and Maurice Eduâ??s attributes have proven useful in recent years but, with Jamie Ness returning from injury and Matt McKay arriving from Brisbane Roar, their places are under threat. On the wings, Rangers have pace and trickery for the first time in several seasons.

 

Alejandro Bedoya may still be an unknown quantity and Gregg Wylde a prodigious talent, but both have the potential to be mainstays this season.

 

Loan deals for Kyle Hutton and John Fleck could bring out the best in them, while Juanma Ortiz, McCoistâ??s first signing as boss, can be given more time to adapt to his new surroundings and prove there is a silkier side to his industrious game.

 

 

 

ATTACK

 

Rangers fans would have been expecting one, if not more, striking additions during the summer but, as the clock ticked down on the final day of deals, it was more about who was staying at Ibrox â?? not who was coming in.

 

The £9million offered for Nikica Jelavic late on deadline day would have boosted the balance sheet, but would have jeopardised their title ambitions.

 

Kyle Lafferty has shown glimpses he could be a long-term success at Rangers but, with David Healy not considered a starter and Steven Naismith perhaps better deployed from midfield, the championsâ?? attacking options are scarce.

 

In Jelavic, they have a quality forward, however, and one more than capable of surpassing the 19 goals he scored in an injury-hit first campaign.

 

His impact on the title race last year was significant and, having missed out on summer targets Tomer Hemed and David Goodwillie, McCoist will require even more from his star man in the coming months.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/trophy-haul-the-true-test-of-ally-mccoist-pedigree-1.1122517

[Guest Dutchy]

The striker positions are the weakest and reading that article, you'd think we have no chance.

 

I certainly don't like the sound of depending on one man as the only scorer of our goals this season. I think others will contribute, so I'm not so worried. YET!