ALLY McCOIST reckons Rangers have laid the foundations for a sustained run of form this season.

The Light Blues continued their recent purple patch with a deserved 1-0 win over St Johnstone on Tuesday night as they booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Victory over the Saints came on the back of comfortable triumphs against Dumbarton, East Fife, Raith Rovers and Livingston as the SPFL League One champions have bounced back from their shock defeat to Hibernian in style.

And McCoist is eager to keep the winning run going as attentions turn to the Scottish Cup clash with the Sons this weekend. He said: "I hope so. That is the object, to string a few results together.

"It is pleasing to get five wins and equally pleasing to get four clean sheets in that run of games.

"You are very loathe to tempt fate, but long may that continue. It is certainly the foundations for hopefully a good run.

"I am very happy with the way they are looking and the way they are feeling.

"And the way they are about their work at Ibrox and Murray Park.

"I have said all along, they are a fabulous group of players and great bunch of lads to work with and it looks as though they are enjoying themselves at the moment."

The key to Rangers' recent impressive run has been their defensive resolve, with Raith's consolation in the 6-1 Ibrox win the only goal they have conceded this month.

Darren McGregor has impressed since joining skipper Lee McCulloch at the heart of the Ibrox defence and is in line to win a new deal with the Light Blues.

"He's earning his extended stay as things stand," McCoist told RangersTV.

"He is playing very, very well and he's solid. He's just a smashing lad.

"Darren has been an absolute pleasure to deal with. He comes in and does his work every day which is great.

"We felt sorry for him in the last two or three years when he picked up his injuries. You don't wish to see any player getting injured.

"It's really important he stays fit for himself as much as anything.

"I just want the lad to play and enjoy his football. At this particular moment he is doing that."

Rangers are back on cup duty tomorrow when they face Dumbarton bidding for a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

The Light Blues won 3-0 at the Rock on Saturday and boss McCoist is expecting a fierce Sons response.

He said: "It certainly won't be any easier than it was at the weekend, that's for sure.

"I've tremendous respect for Dumbarton as a club and Ian as a manager.

"If anything, I think this one might be harder because of the fact they'll be disappointed at the way they lost to us."