Ally McCoist on why Rangers only have themselves to blame despite financial concerns and Celtic gulf

Ally McCoist insists Rangers have contributed to their own struggles despite Celtic dwarfing them financially.

Sunday's meek surrender in their latest derby defeat has provoked yet another post-mortem on Gers and their failings. The gulf between them and the Hoops has never been greater both on the pitch and off it and the champions won at the weekend with £20milliojn pair Adam Idah and Arne Engels on the bench along with new arrivals Luke McCowan, Auston Trusty and Alex Valle.

During the same window, the Ibrox side have been trying to wheel and deal and move players on in order to be able to bring new ones in to try and upgrade the squad. The result is Celtic seem to be moving further and further away.

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Rangers hero Graeme Souness yesterday expressed concerns over the financial situation at the club and his former player McCoist was quizzed on it today. He admits to feeling the same but also insists they still could have been smarter with his recruitment.

Asked on talkSPORT if he shares Souness' fears, he said: "Of course. I'm not privy to it any more but anyone would see they have got problems, massive problems, financially. One of the key things is recruitment. Celtic's has been excellent, Rangers' has been anything but. Whether you've got £1m or £40m to spend, you've got to get it right more often than not. Rangers haven't done that.

"Rangers gave money to Michael Beale beforehand, I'm not sure how much he was given, and Rangers managers in the past, and I know it's not been as wisely spent as it should have. If you look at Rangers' signings, the goalkeeper [Jack Butland] who was at fault for the second goal at the weekend and also the goal in the cup final, but he has done well. [Dujon] Sterling too. But after that?

"After that, you just look at Celtic's recruitment this window. I had a good chat with Brendan. He brings in four or five players for what £30m, £28m, but he's got it back on Matt O'Riley. So their net spend is nothing and they are bringing in quality. That is a massive thing. They're obviously spending more, because they've got more. But the process has to be the same. Your recruitment has got to be good and Rangers' hasn't been good."

McCoist was asked how things mad managed to go from winning the title under Steven Gerrard in 2021 to what it is like now. But he pointed out there is a more stark comparison to be made.

He added: "Worse than that, you're playing Eintracht Frankfurt in a Europa League final. Never mind winning the league. You're a penalty kick away from winning a Europa League final to where it is now."