IAN BLACK reckons Rangers are well equipped to challenge for cup success this season.

Ally McCoist's side return to knockout action when they face Falkirk in the League Cup third round tonight having already booked their place in the last eight of the Petrofac Training Cup.

After reaching the final of the Ramsdens Cup and semis of the Scottish Cup last season, expectation levels have grown amongst fans that the Gers could challenge for silverware in the coming months.

The Light Blues are well positioned for a shot at the Championship title this term and Black is confidence McCoist's side can compete on multiple fronts.

He said: "We have got a good squad, there is a good bit of confidence in there and it is a big squad as well so there are a lot of players that can chip in if there are injuries.

"We are confident of going far in all the cups.

"This club is all about winning and expectations here are massive. Every player that is involved wants to win and knows that we are capable of winning.

"It would be nice to go on a wee run and hopefully get a bit of silverware for the fans as well because they have been really good over the years.

"It does get tougher every year. This league, I think everyone would agree at this moment in time, is better than the top flight.

"It is going to be tough but we have got a good group and the expectations are high because of the squad.

"You can only perform to the best you can and if you get results and it goes your way then brilliant.

"We have got great belief in there going right through the club and the fans as well that we can go and do something."

Rangers head into their Bairns battle tonight on the back of a frustrating Championship clash against Alloa at the weekend as their seven-game winning run came to an end.

David Templeton's second-half equaliser earned a point for the Light Blues as they lost ground on Robbie Neilson's side at the top of the table.

But Black is confident they can bounce back tonight against their second tier rivals as they bid for a fourth round berth

He said: "There is a lot of confidence in the squad and sometimes you can take too much of it. You need to keep your feet on the ground.

"The first-half performance was a bit of a wake-up call. We picked up in the second half and we deserved the point that we came away with.

"We have spoken about it and we know what we need to do."