Ally: Rude awakening for Gers

Ally McCoist admits Peterhead have shattered any illusions his Rangers players may have had about success coming easy to them this season.

Saturday's Scottish Third Division clash at Balmoor was the first league fixture ever played by the Glasgow giants outside of Scottish football's top flight, having lost their Scottish Premier League status when the club was consigned to liquidation this summer.

The historic match was supposed to be the first step on the road to recovery, following the most turbulent period in the club's history, but ended in disappointment as Rangers were forced to battle for a late share of the points as the game ended 2-2.

McCoist said: "I'm not accusing them of anything but I did say to the players after the game that if any of them thought for a minute that they were going to turn up at these away grounds - or at home for that matter - and pick up three points without going through some hard work and earning the three points, that might just be a rude awakening to one or two.

McCoist praised his side's opponents and their manager Jim McInally.

"Peterhead battled for everything and Jim's team are the only team that deserve any plaudits today."

Teenager Barrie McKay opened the scoring with his first senior goal for Rangers but Peterhead hit back in the second half through Rory McAllister and Scott McLaughlin.

The Blue Toon looked set to claim a famous victory only for Rangers to rescue a point when a Kevin Kyle header appeared to be knocked over the line by Andy Little with a minute to go.

McCoist added: "I would hope if there was a lesson needing to be learned that today was the lesson.

"In any game of football, in any sport, you have to earn the right to play and earn the right to compete.

"Certainly in the second half, I thought there was a lot more desire from their front players to score a goal than there was from our lads to keep them out.

"Overall, I'm a bit shocked at how we defended. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with the way we defended in the second half.

"I did feel like it was a bit of a cup tie atmosphere again, which we will have to get used to because that's the way it's going to be."

McCoist and Ibrox chief executive Charles Green were both issued with notices of complaint by the Scottish Football Association's compliance officer last night.

Green's charge relates to his claims that "bigotry" was one of the reasons why Rangers were denied entry to the SPL, while McCoist is alleged to have breached rules following comments he made about the SFA's judicial panel in April.

Asked for his reaction to the charges, the manager would only say: "Not one of surprise."

Rangers defender Carlos Bocanegra was also impressed by Peterhead's display.

"It was a tough game," said the American.

"They fought and kicked until the end and that's something we can expect all season, but we have to give credit to them.

"We had a few chances but we didn't finish them. It's frustrating but that's probably what it's going to be like this season.

"We need to play better. We got ourselves in trouble a little bit with our passing, we didn't finish opportunities and we didn't defend well either, so we've got to clean those things up."

Meanwhile, Peterhead players were gutted at their failure to hold on for the win, according to boss McInally.

He said: "The boys were disappointed in the dressing room and I never thought I would say that.

"I'm proud of them. We have played our part and we don't play them for another eight games so the circus can move on somewhere else.

"I think Coisty and Rangers gave us respect today. It was an historical day and the first league game played between the two clubs so to not lose it was fantastic."