The feel-good factor is back at Rangers
ALLY McCOIST claims the feel-good factor is higher at Rangers now than at any stage of his managerial tenure.
With just over three months of the season remaining, the Light Blues still have the potential to pull off the unique treble of Scottish Cup, Ramsdens Cup and League One title.
And, significantly, it is the first time in McCoist’s managerial career his team have survived longer in a domestic cup than Celtic.
“There has been an excitement since the draw was made that I have not felt since I took over,” he said.
“I am talking about something that is there between the supporters, the workforce and between the players.
“It is real and it is fantastic.
“So what we have to do now is to channel it in the right direction because we have some big, big games coming up for this club.”
The Rangers manager’s statement is impressive given his time in charge encompasses the 4-2 victory over Celtic back in September 2011, part of a run which saw them win nine out of their first 10 League games of the season.
“It was an Old Firm game with everything that brings in terms of anticipation and excitement,” he said.
“However, you could sense things weren’t quite right and the players and the staff could sense it.
“I think everyone will agree, the club’s demise started well before February 14 two years ago. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
“This is different, though, in the respect the club has been away down there and in a situation where everybody has to rally round.
“Now, all of a sudden, we get a great cup result and then a good cup draw and whoof the morale is right up there.
“I haven’t had the feeling there is now and I haven’t felt that feeling from other people since I took over as manager.
“At the start of the season, if somebody had offered me the lead in the League, a Final of a cup to look forward to and a home tie in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup, I’d have bitten their hand off.”
And the best could still be to come.
“Everybody had Celtic down as the favourites to go on and retain the Cup, and rightly so,” he said.
“Twenty-one points clear in the top division would indicate they are the best team in the country at the moment but the Cup situation is that anything can happen — Aberdeen proved that.
“Once the holders and favourites are out, of course the Cup opens up and the chances of anyone else who is still in the competition, winning it becomes greater.
“But we can’t get ahead ourselves as we know Albion Rovers have already beaten Motherwell.”
Everybody had Celtic down to retain the Cup