Scottish football: Ally McCoist says he has not been asked to make savings in Rangers squad

Rangers boss Ally McCoist insists he has not been asked to implement cost-cutting measures among his playing staff despite the club being forced to borrow more money earlier this week.

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, who has an almost 9% stake in the Scottish Champioinship side, lent Rangers £1m just weeks after putting £2m into the club which gave him effective control of the League One champions.

We certainly have to remain focused and continue with the difficult job and very important job of winning games.

It was made clear further funds would be required before the end of the season and a number of initiatives to save money would be under consideration.

But speaking ahead of Saturday's home game against Alloa, McCoist said: "I'm not sure at the moment. Obviously job lossess at any level or any description is sad and bad news but at this moment in time I haven't been told there will be any cuts at all within the footballing side.

Important

"It's very much, if not business as usual, we certainly have to remain focused and continue with the difficult job and very important job of winning games."

Asked if Rangers can afford to lose any of their players, McCoist, whose side can close the gap to just one point behind Hearts with victory at the weekend, added: "It would be wrong to comment and prejudge something that, at this moment in time, isn't happening.

"If it happened I would probably give you a comment on it but at this moment in time my footballing staff is intact and concentrating fully on a tough game which will hopefully allow us to close the gap at the top of the league tomorrow."

And McCoist has been handed a timely boost ahead of the visit of Alloa after midfielder Lewis Macleod was released by Scotland in order to play in the match.

Macleod was called into the squad for the European Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at Celtic Park and next week's friendly against England at the same venue.
 
But McCoist revealed that after a chat with Scotland boss Gordon Strachan he can now call on the services of the 20-year-old on Saturday.

I think he is going to the game tonight and he will turn up tomorrow and be in the squad for the game against Alloa.

"He trained with us this morning," said McCoist. "He is thoroughly enjoying his time with the Scotland boys.

"I think he is going to the game tonight and he will turn up tomorrow and be in the squad for the game against Alloa."