Ally McCoist saw Rangers relinquish top spot in the SPL to Old Firm rivals Celtic on Wednesday, but he insists there is still all to play for.
Gers boss reflects on derby defeat
Ally McCoist saw Rangers relinquish top spot in the SPL to Old Firm rivals Celtic on Wednesday, but he insists there is still all to play for.
Celtic claimed the spoils on derby day at Parkhead, with Joe Ledley's second half header settling a keenly-fought contest.
Victory for the Hoops was their ninth in a row and they now hold a two-point lead at the summit.
McCoist was understandably disappointed to come unstuck in such a crucial tie, but he believes there is still a long way to go in the title race.
"It's a big disappointment, of that there is no doubt," he told
Sky Sports.
Encouraging
"The game itself, I didn't think there was an awful lot in it. Both defensives were pretty solid and in games like that it only takes one chance to win it and unfortunately it didn't go our way."
He added: "I did say before the game that whoever won the game, that doesn't necessarily win you the league. Having said that, I would rather have won it.
"There are still two points in it and we have got absolutely everything to play for.
"The effort we put in today was pleasing and encouraging. We can do better when we've got the ball and we can play much better. There is a long way to go."
Rangers came close to breaking the deadlock early on, but the match officials failed to spot that a Lee Wallace header had crept over the line.
Additions
Having seen that incident again, McCoist said: "I knew it was close, but from the angle we were at we couldn't see either way.
"I don't think there's any doubt that it's over but sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't."
Rangers are now plotting a route back to the top of the table in 2012, and McCoist admits fresh faces would aid their cause.
He said: "I think we need them. I have gone on record as saying we could do with strengthening in the forward area - losing (Steven) Naismith and (Kyle) Lafferty is nursing a bit of an injury."
Asked if he might be willing to sacrifice star striker Nikica Jelavic in order to fund a trip to the January sales, McCoist said: "Would I? Not really, to be honest. You want to keep your best players and I'm no different."
