FRASER AIRD insists Rangers won't mind the gap as they look to reel in title rivals Hearts this term.

Ally McCoist's side fell nine points adrift of the Jambos last weekend as they took full advantage of the Light Blues' day on the sidelines.

A 1-0 win over Alloa has given the Capital club some breathing space in the promotion race, with Rangers now set for a tricky midweek trip to Cowdenbeath next month after McCoist asked for the Blue Brazil battle to be postponed.

The Gers return to Championship action against Raith Rovers at Ibrox tomorrow while Robbie Neilson's side host Dumbarton aiming to avoid their second slip of the season against the Sons.

Aird told SportTimes: "It is still early. They still have to play us three times and they still have three Edinburgh derbies to play as well. Hopefully they will slip up and I am sure they will.

"We knew it was always going to be hard this season.

"That is what it was like when Rangers were in the SPL, it was always tough and if you dropped any points then it was always going to come back and bite you.

"We are looking forward to it. It is going to be a tough season ahead, but there is still a lot of football to be played."

McCoist made the request to cancel the Cowdenbeath clash due to international call-ups from his squad, with the SPFL then rejecting an appeal from the Fifers as they tried to have the tie reinstated.

The international break has given McCoist a chance to work with his squad and winger Aird is confident the mid-season hiatus will stand Rangers in good stead.

He said: "You can look at it both ways. It was good to get a good amount of training under our belt because we have had so many games lately.

"But obviously you want to play on a Saturday, that is what you look forward to.

"It is good to have three or four sessions in a row and get our fitness back up in good sessions.

"The gaffer hasn't been able to put them together because we have had so many games.

"We like playing games at the end of the day, it is better than training. But you need to do it and keep up your standards."

Meanwhile, Rangers will hold Christmas coaching courses at Murray Park to give kids the chance to live the life of a Light Blues star.

The Soccer School Holiday Courses are open for children aged 5-16 and are priced at £65.

Each session runs from 10am-3pm, with bookings being taken for courses between Sunday, December 28, and Tuesday, December 30.