Monday 8 December 2014 15:52, UK
Rangers manager Ally McCoist admitted nerves had been a problem for his side as they edged out Cowdenbeath 1-0 in their Scottish Championship clash at Ibrox.
A second-half own goal from Nat Wedderburn proved to be the difference between the two teams as Rangers returned to winning ways following their stunning 3-2 midweek defeat at Alloa in their Petrofac Training Cup semi-final.
However, there was little else to cheer about for the 28,137 crowd - the lowest league attendance at Ibrox since December 1986.
And with those painful midweek memories still fresh, McCoist admitted his side, who also suffered a costly league defeat to Hearts last month, suffered from a few shaky moments.
He said: "It's understandable there's a nervousness.
"Contrary to what a lot of people think, Ibrox is not an easy place to play when things aren't going well. There were nerves knocking about but you must attempt to do the right things.
"It doesn't matter if there's 1,000 or 50,000 because the job is still the same. The players have got a responsibility to go out and do their jobs. I'd much rather there were 50,000 every week but it's not an excuse - the focus is the same.
"I just wanted to win the game and bounce back from the result on Wednesday and get three points and we did and I'm pleased at the outcome.
"I could have been happier if we'd scored more goals and enjoyed it a lot more in the last 15 or 20 minutes
"I don't think anyone could say we didn't deserve to win the game but a lack of clinical finishing made it a rather sweaty final 10 minutes."
Cowdenbeath boss Jimmy Nicholl, who played for Rangers in the early 80s, said: "It was a bigger crowd today than what it was the first time I was here. I think in 1983 there was about 8,000 out there for games.
"As long as the Rangers players keep getting on the ball and keep trying to do things instead of hiding, they'll get through it."
