THEY welcome the chase.

But Ally McCoist is not surprised to see Rangers playing catch-up this season.

For two years, the Ibrox outfit blew away the teams that stood between them and title glory as the Third Division and League One crowns were claimed with ease.

This time around it is different, however. Six games into the Championship campaign, Rangers are three points off the title pace.

They have their sights set on leaders Hearts and pole position in the table rather than looking in their rear view mirror at the distant chasing pack.

Since losing to the Jambos on the opening day of the league campaign, McCoist's side have dropped just two second tier points, the 1-1 draw with Alloa last weekend ending an impressive run of form.

By the time Hibernian arrive at Ibrox on Monday night, the Gers could be six points behind their main title rivals.

But McCoist is not fazed at the prospect as he looks to guide his side through their first proper challenge since The Journey began.

"It's not something that's a shock to us," he said. "We knew the league would be a massive step up from the previous two seasons and when you lose the first game to Hearts chances are you will be chasing them for a wee while anyway.

"We're six games into it, it's not really started the campaign really. There are lots of points to be won and dropped.

"Hearts drew at Dumbarton and I felt the same way last week after the Alloa game -that might turn out to be a good point rather than two dropped.

"Hearts are at the top and playing very well consistently. They had a good second half against Cowdenbeath last weekend.

"For the first time in a couple of years we are looking above us, but it's not a major shock or something we're overly concerned with this early in the season."

While Rangers only have Hearts above them in the table, the third side expected to be in the title hunt this term, Hibs, are well off the early pace.

Alan Stubbs' side have taken just six points from their first half a dozen games.

But McCoist insists defeat at Ibrox wouldn't spell the end of their title ambitions.

He said: "No matter how the game goes on Monday, there is far too long to go in the Championship to start ruling anyone out at this stage.

"We've seen how difficult it has been and is going to be.

"With 15 minutes to go at Alloa, we would have taken a point all day to get out of there.

"I know Hearts had chances at Dumbarton, but Dumbarton had a couple of their own too.

"There are Edinburgh derbies to play, we've got to go through to Tynecastle and Easter Road, there's a massive, massive distance to go."

Having waltzed away with the silverware in the bottom two tiers, Rangers are not going to have it all their own way as they bid for three-in-a-row and a Premiership place. The Journey has often been a trying and testing one for McCoist, his players and the Light Blue legions as the lower leagues have been negotiated.

With Hearts, Hibs and Falkirk all in the Championship, Rangers are in more familiar and comfortable surroundings this term.

But McCoist knows that doesn't mean his side can afford to alter their approach.

He said: "I think our players, in terms of their own self-motivation has been commendable in the last couple of years.

"To go through a league season undefeated and with three draws would tell you that the motivation to go and play in all these league games has been fine. I really do think that.

"You can argue about our levels of performance, of course you can, but in terms of motivation to go and play, the boys have been fine with that.

"I also think they are aware of the increase of the standard of the opposition and the better quality of grounds that we are going to, generally speaking, like Falkirk, Tynecastle, Easter Road and places like that.

"So there's an obvious step-up in everything in the package outwith the game.

"I think our motivation over the last two or three years has been absolutely fine, but it will have to stay at that level."

The visit of Hibs gives McCoist's Premiership standard stars another chance to show what they can do this term.

Striker Jon Daly is back on the frontline after knee surgery this summer but McCoist has yet to be convinced of the merits of a partnership with main forward Kris Boyd.

He said: "It's not an ideal scenario with those two lads and we maybe need someone with quicker pace who can run beyond. We've got Shiels who can play in the hole, but Jon gives us a great option."