McCoist delighted after Ibrox team triumph in Bairns’ ‘cup final’

Published on 22/08/2012 01:38

ALLY McCoist lauded his team for coming through another game that was elevated to ‘cup final’ status by their opponents.

The Ibrox club made amends for last year’s exit in the Scottish Communities League Cup at the hands of Falkirk by knocking the holders out of the Ramsdens Cup in yesterday evening’s second round tie.

Andy Little notched the solitary goal, taking his tally to six for the season with a powerful drive in first-half injury-time.

And the Rangers manager , whose side were condemned to the Third Division during the summer after the club was liquidated, said: “I was pleased to get through, it was a tough game.”

McCoist added: “It was our third away game and they have all been equally difficult with Brechin, Peterhead and here tonight.

“I thought we just shaded it tonight. We have said for weeks that this is what we’re going to get no matter where we go.

“We’re going to get opposition that are playing in a cup final, which is not a criticism at all because that’s what it is for them and they’re going to be right up for it.

“I thought Falkirk knocked the ball about well tonight.” McCoist watched Little continue his fine goalscoring form but the manager was equally pleased that Brazilian Emilson Cribari came through his full debut unscathed at centre-half.

He added: “Andy is very direct. The first thing Andy does when he gets the ball is get a shot away.

“That’s what he does, he probably could have had another one in the second half.

“He’ll be involved in the thick of the action. I was delighted with him again.

“I thought Emilson came through it well. You always wonder how players handle situations going to places. The tempo of the game was very, very high and I thought he handled it particularly well. I was very pleased with him.” Falkirk manager Steven Pressley said afterwards that he was content with the way his young team went about trying to replicate last season’s feat of beating Rangers.

Pressley said: “I thought we were terrific tonight, we applied all the principles we work towards. I was proud of them.

“The only disappointment is that I thought we flashed a lot of balls across the box and didn’t manage to work their goalkeeper, we will work on that.

“I saw everything that I want to see in my team.

“I thought it was a great game and there was a terrific atmosphere.”