Assistant boss Ally McCoist claims passions are running high for all the right reasons as Rangers brace themselves for seven days which could define their season.

On Thursday, Rangers will attempt to qualify for the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, as they defend a 2-0 first-leg lead over Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion.

On Sunday they face Dundee United in the CIS Insurance Cup final and next Wednesday they tackle Partick for a place in the Scottish Cup last four.

Rangers could have one trophy in the bag and remain contenders for two more cups and the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title once the Partick game is out of the way, or they may have just the SPL title to play for.

Manager Walter Smith was involved in a confrontation with the Hibernian bench during Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round victory at Ibrox, after Nacho Novo was sent off.

McCoist denies it was a case of stress in the workplace, but admits the experience of going for four trophies at this stage of the season is exhilarating.

"I certainly wouldn't put it down to stress," said McCoist.

"We're not feeling any stress at all. I can only speak for myself but I'm loving it.

"My only disappointment is I can't get out there and join the boys because it's great watching them and great showing the spirit, and we as a backroom staff take great pride in that.

"We're really enjoying these games.

"If anything, the wee spat or tiff just shows how much people care. That's all it is."

Smith faces a two-match touchline ban after angrily confronting Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen and his bench, but McCoist said: "There's nothing untoward about it.

"People fall out at work every day of the week. I wish there was a camera in the manager's office at five o'clock when Mixu and the manager were sitting having a laugh and a glass of red wine.

"The thing's completely forgotten about.

"Mixu had an opinion on it, Walter had an opinion on it, we all had an opinion on it, and you just move on."

Novo could start against Bremen on Thursday, despite his lunge on Thierry Gathuessi being described by Paatelainen as one which could have broken the defender's leg.

McCoist maintains Novo did not make the two-footed tackle in malice.

"The one thing Nacho Novo is not is a leg-breaker," said McCoist. "He's not a dirty player by any stretch of the imagination.

"It was just a rash challenge."

McCoist indicated he would prefer bans to apply only to games in the competition they are incurred in. Novo's ban will see him miss Sunday's League Cup final.

"It seems common sense to make it the same tournament, but the rules are there for us all to abide by so we don't have any complaints," said McCoist.

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