'Cup defeat no wake up call for Rangers, just a massive disappointment'

Ally McCoist saw his side dumped out of the Ramsdens Cup at the last eight stage.SNS Group

Ally McCoist has called Rangers’ Ramsdens Cup exit to Queen of the South a “massive disappointment”.

The Third Division side went out on penalties to their Second Division opponents on Wednesday night, after a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Rangers looked to have done enough after goals from Barrie McKay and a Lee McCulloch penalty turned around the tie after an opener from Nicky Clark.

A disputed Gavin Reilly strike in stoppage time though kept Queens in the tie, leading to their eventual shootout win.

The result for McCoist’s team follows up a run of three away draws on league business but the manager insists no reality check is required.

"I don't think it's a wake-up call. It's a big disappointment," he said. "If any of the team were needing a wake-up call, then I hope that's it, that's for sure.

"It's certainly not a wake-up call for me - it's just a massive disappointment.

"We were all aware of how difficult the game would be against a good Queen of the South side who are doing well in the league and who knocked Hibs out of the League Cup.

"We were aware of how difficult the game was going to be so it's a big disappointment for me.

"If any the boys were needing a wake-up call, I hope that's it, but I don't think they were to be honest.

"It's a sore one, that's for sure. It's really, really disappointing to get beat and knocked out in the manner we did.

"I'm not sure there was an awful lot between the teams."

Kevin Kyle and Willie Gibson were sent off for their respective sides and the officials were again involved as Reilly netted from close range with seconds remaining, with Rangers players furiously disputing the striker was in an offside position.

"I thought we'd probably done enough to hold on when we got the second goal and we were down to 10 men so I was disappointed with the manner in which we lost the goal as well," McCoist added.

"I haven't seen it again but a couple of the boys were telling me it was our throw-in and that the lad looked a yard offside. But, that aside, we should probably still be defending it a bit better."

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