Rangers still a big scalp claims Pressley

FALKIRK manager Steven Pressley insists beating Rangers in the Ramsdens Cup tonight would be just as big a deal as their League Cup win last season, even though Rangers now languish two leagues below his team.

The Bairns boss fully believes his side can repeat their stunning triumph of last year but is quick to highlight the contradictions that now follow their opponents following the decision to make them start again in the Third Division.

Pressley admits that, following the recruitment of of Ian Black, Dean Shiels and Francisco Sandaza this summer, Rangers are still an SPL outfit in all but name. He said: “To put things into perspective, the reality is that one Rangers player will earn more than my entire squad – and they’re a Third Division squad.

“But that was the reality last year when we played them in the League Cup, and we managed to produce an incredible performance and result. It’s going to take something similar this time to win the game, but we’re more than capable of doing that.

“They are certainly a Third Division club in terms of status, but in terms of personnel, finance and all of these things they are an SPL club.

“So, it would still be a massive scalp for a club like ours to win. That doesn’t mean we can’t win, far from it, and I think we have a real opportunity.”

Pressley was fulsome in his praise of Rangers manager Ally McCoist over the way he has handled the club’s troubles. He added: “Alastair has had to cope with a great deal over the last three or four months and it’s taken time to put together a squad, because for a long period he didn’t have the luxury of being able to sign players.

“So, they’re trying to find their way but I’m sure, given time, he’ll do a terrific job. I think he’s handled things brilliantly.

“He could never have envisaged what he’s had to experience – I don’t think any manager has probably had to experience what Alastair has had to experience over the last four months.

“Now he will be delighted he’s back concentrating more on football.”