McCoist Questions Team's Desire

Rangers manager Ally McCoist doubted his team's desire after they suffered their first league defeat of the season at Kilmarnock.

"I would question the players' tempo and their attitude to go and win it," he told his club's website.

"We didn't play the game at a high enough tempo and we didn't show enough urgency to earn the three points.

"I believe for us to play at our best we have to play quicker and not give people time on the ball."

McCoist was disappointed that Rangers did not create more goal-scoring opportunities as their 14-game unbeaten run away from home came to halt.

Sone Aluko had a shot cleared off the line and Alejandro Bedoya shot straight at Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell as the champions saw their Scottish Premier League lead cut to four points.

"We didn't create enough chances," said McCoist. "We had an opportunity early on and then Kane Hemmings had a shot in 43 minutes.

"We hit the post in the second half, Ale Bedoya had a chance and we had a couple of cut-backs which came to nothing.

We didn't show enough urgency to win the three pointsRangers manager Ally McCoist

"We really need to be creating more chances than that and we need to be taking them."

Kilmarnock's winner came when debutant Aluko played Manuel Pascali onside following Garry Hay's pass and his header beat Allan McGregor

McCoist said: "I haven't had a chance to have a good look at the goal, but defensively it's poor. Our goals-against record has been very good but that's another howler we have lost.

"My initial reaction was that Pascali was offside but I'm told there was no way that was the case."

Aluko's overall performance please McCoist, however, who said: "I thought he did fine. Most of the things we were creating he was involved in. In terms of a debut it was fine."

The Ibrox manager pitched in young defender Ross Perry after Carlos Bocanegra suffered an injury in training, and suffered a further blow when Kyle Lafferty was forced off injured before half-time.

"It's a small tear in Carlos's hamstring," he said. "It was enough to force him out today and we don't know yet about next weekend. That didn't help but Ross Perry came in and did fine.

"In terms of Lafferty we will have a look tomorrow. He has been heavily iced and we hope things calm down in the next 24 hours."

Discipline Reason for Rangers Defeat

Rangers manager Ally McCoist says a lack of discipline cost his side a place in the Champions League following a 2-1 aggregate loss to Malmo.

Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were both dismissed during a 1-1 second-leg away draw.

"The two sendings-off cost us dearly," said McCoist.

"I haven't had a chance to look at the incidents but I think the fact that the lads gave the referee the opportunity to send them off was disappointing."

Rangers had travelled to Sweden trailing 1-0 and knowing the club had never overturned a first-leg deficit away from home in Europe.

Nikica Jelavic's goal levelled the tie in the 23rd minute, but an 80th-minute strike from Jiloan Hamad secured the win for Malmo, leaving Rangers to learn their fate in the Europa League qualification draw.

"I really am disappointed," added McCoist.

"The majority of our boys were fantastic, I really could not have asked for any more than they gave me.

"I think indiscipline cost us the tie."

With Malmo midway through the Swedish season, the Rangers boss believes his side's rustiness in the first leg on 26 July may have put the tie beyond their reach.

"I don't think we played particularly well in the first game. There may be legitimate reasons," added McCoist.

"Obviously the game coming early for us and Malmo being well into their season is a factor.

"You saw in this game that with another week gone that there is real progress."

You've got no time at this club to feel sorry for yourselfRangers manager Ally McCoist

McCoist disappointed with red cards

Rangers now break from the SPL until 13 August as they play a friendly against Chelsea this weekend.

But McCoist promises they will regroup before their next league fixture against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"You've got no time at this club to feel sorry for yourself," he said.

"The highs and lows at this club are fantastic and there's a great divide between the two.

"If you're involved in this club and you're a Ranger then you handle both the same and you get on with it."

And McCoist says he will continue to be active in the transfer market as he looks to bolster his team before the 31 August deadline.

"We need to help the boys who are in the team," he said.

"They've given myself and the management team everything.

"What we need to give them is help, and by that I mean bodies."