McCoist must hope Rangers form drop is now in the past

Ally McCoist is facing the toughest test of his managerial career this season.

So he probably hasn’t been overly pleased with the performances of his players so far in their build-up to the campaign.

Prior to departing for the United States and Canada, the Ibrox club could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Brora Rangers. And they followed that up with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a team just about all of us have never heard of before.

I’ve watched a fair bit of the MLS over the last few years and the sport is definitely progressing well Stateside. But I’ve never once heard of Ventura County Fusion.

They aren’t, of course, anywhere near to being one of the leading teams in the States so you can imagine why Ally was raging at the result. On paper, it was a really strong Rangers side.

Kenny Miller played up top, and it was a midfield that included the more experienced players such as Ian Black, Nicky Law and Lee McCulloch. New defensive signings Darren McGregor and Marius Zaliukas played at the heart of defence.

So Kris Boyd, who came on as a substitute, was probably the only player not to start who you would describe as a first-choice player.

While the results don’t particularly matter we all know you win nothing during pre-season the manner of the performance can be important. No manager enjoys watching his players look out of sorts, even in friendly fixtures.

There are two purposes to a pre-season game to use it as a way to increase fitness levels and match sharpness, and to try and allow the players to build up an understanding and confidence levels.

Aside from improving their fitness, there wasn’t anything positive to take from the first outing in California.

This is the season Ally really needs his players to step up to the plate and deliver. This is their big test the toughest challenge they’ll have faced since being demoted to the bottom tier of Scottish football.

Rangers are now one promotion away from returning to the Premier League, but their path is tougher than anyone ever envisaged, with both Hearts and Hibs in the Championship.

The biggest challenge will come from Tynecastle. Across Edinburgh at Easter Road, new Hibs manager Alan Stubbs has a major rebuilding job on his hands.

But Hearts have signed some good players, and have the kids who played top-flight football last term.

It’s going to be exciting seeing how the race to win the title goes. But anything other than first spot won’t be considered good enough for the Rangers support.

I know the Ibrox club could easily win promotion via the play-off system now in place but Ally has to finish first. He’ll be hoping his players are getting all their bad games out of the way before the competitive action gets underway.