Ally McCoist has warned the Rangers squad they will have to get up to speed soon or risk a Champions League upset.
Rangers were losing 1-0 with 20 minutes left against German minnows Sportfreunde Lotte on Wednesday night before a rapid Kris Boyd double and a powerful drive from 16-year-old John Fleck saw them through.
The returning Andy Webster missed a simple long ball to gift the German side an early lead and McCoist knows Rangers cannot get away with simple mistakes in their upcoming Champions League qualifier.
Earlier this week McCoist watched FBK Kaunas win 4-1 in the away leg of their first qualifying round clash against Andorran side Santa Coloma, the winners of which face Rangers at Ibrox on July 30.
"Kaunas were very, very comfortable and I would fully expect them to go through," the Rangers assistant boss said.
"It was difficult to tell against that standard, but at the same time they are a big side and their set pieces were very good.
"The two centre-backs were tall and strong, the same in the middle of the park. They'll be a tough side to negotiate."
Webster was making his first start for 10 months following knee and hernia problems and McCoist hopes he will settle quickly following his error.
"The defence had an unusual look to it and I'm hoping that that was one of the reasons we looked so shaky but it's important the lads get game time," he told Rangers World.
"We're off and running very, very soon so hopefully that's the cobwebs blown away and we can be ready for the start."
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response; 2 ibrox is heaven.....A real fan, is a fan who dosen't sit back & accepts the s*it. A real fan,wants improvement.
i totally agree with alistair,if the players dont perform/stop the additions to their pleasure/cut their freetime and make them work for the princely sums they are paid
The issue of will Boyd stay or go continues, with the news Rangers and Cardiff are in talks of a swap deal. To bring their young Dutch defender (Loovens) to Ibrox and Boyd going in the opposite direction. Plus £800,000 payment to Rangers, they surely can't be that keen on him if they are willing to let him go in a deal like this.
I second "Ibrox is heaven's" comment by wishing Rangers all the best on the comming season. (James,Glenrothes)
Ali {McCoist}has hit the nail on the head with his comments,as this Kaunas will be a far more difficult proposition than a German 4th League Team.Andy Webster has been made the scapegoat for an under par performance from the team as a whole,and in a way he was symptomatic of the malaise that 'friendlies' can often cause.These friendlies are undertaken to sharpen the team,increase their fitness levels,to allow the Manager to see how they are shaping up and to 'fly the flag' as it were,this year,in Germany & Holland.I was at the Ipswich Town game a couple of years ago for the friendly there,with Rangers showing up well winning 2-0,and for this season,Liverpool will be a far harder team to play a 'friendly' with.Can I finish by wishing Rangers,the Team and the Managers,every success in the coming Season,and the fans who really support the team,not the moaners,but the REAL fans who follow follow regardless?.I wish Barry Ferguson well when he has his operation too,good luck to all at Ibrox,Murray.
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