RANGERS players were today told they can still land silverware this season - despite ongoing confusion about the position of manager Ally McCoist.

 

McCoist is still in charge of the team after talks with non-executive Derek Llambias and chairman of the football board, Sandy Easdale, and will be in the dugout against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday.

That is despite the fact the 52-year-old tendered his resignation as gaffer last week and is currently working a 12 month notice period.

Cash-strapped Rangers will have to pay out compensation - believed to be in the region of £400,000 - for him to leave before then.

The announcement yesterday, made after a meeting between the two parties and their representatives, is the latest move in a complex stand-off.

It is the worst possible preparation for the SPFL Championship match this weekend for players who are still hoping they can come back and win the title.

But former Light Blues defender Bob Malcolm reckons the uncertainty surrounding McCoist shouldn't prevent them from securing promotion.

He played at Rangers when Alex McLeish announced he was standing down as manager midway through the 2005/06 campaign.

He said: "Looking back, it didn't affect the players at that time. The squad we had was experienced. Plus, we knew when the gaffer said he was leaving that a new manager was already in place.

"We didn't know who he was, but we had been told he would be sending spies to watch us. We knew we had to perform in games and play well or the new manager would get rid of us and we did that."

Malcolm added: "I've seen some of the stories about what is happening at Rangers with the manager. Something has obviously happened in the background. He's not just done this for no reason.

"But the players who haven't done themselves justice have a chance to show what they can do for the manager. It is up to the players to prove they are worth a shot."

Malcolm, now assistant manager to Barry Ferguson at Clyde, reckons experienced players like Kris Boyd, Lee McCulloch and Kenny Miller will be invaluable at this difficult time.

He said: "I have seen the stick that Kris, Kenny and big Lee have come in for. They might be going through a bad patch just now, but they know what the club is all about. They have been there through the good times and the bad times.

"Whether they are nine points behind or 12 points behind there are still good enough players in that squad to win the league. They can claw that back.

"I have been in a team that was 15 points ahead in the league and only ended up winning it on the last day. "Hearts have a young squad. If they have a dip in form how are they going to handle it?"

Malcolm added: "The fans have just got to get behind the coaching staff and the team if the manager is going to be there for another year. They can still get out of this bad run if they do that. The players who have been through administration, who have feared for their jobs, can handle this.

"Kris, Kennny and Lee can too. I was at Derby County with Kenny when we were struggling to pick up points in the English Premier League.

"I know that he will keep working hard, keep scrapping, to get the team out of this and I am sure other players will step up to the plate as well."