The culture shock of playing in the lower leagues hit home for the Light Blues at the start of their league campaign when they travelled to take on Peterhead.

McCoist recalls the bus journey north as if it was yesterday and admitted he knew his players were in for a battle the second they rolled up outside Balmoor.

Tomorrow, the Ibrox boss and his players will make the same trip having fully adjusted to life in the Third Division after opening up a 19-point lead at the top of the table.

Coisty is relishing the prospect of returning to the ground they recorded a 2-2 draw at last time out, and is keen to avenge any memory of that sunny afternoon back in August.

He said: "The moment we drove into Peterhead and saw the first marquee next to the stadium, I thought 'here we go' and they didn't let us down to be fair.

"That was our welcome to the Third Division. We only scored in the last couple of minutes to get away with that one.

"But I am pleased with the progress we have made and how far we have come since then.

"We have been in a no-win situation since day one. People will always find something to moan about and that is not a criticism.

"That goes for everything from the away results to the form. It goes with the territory and I can accept that, but at the same time we are pleased with our work at the moment in terms of the results and where we are in the league.

"We know we have got miles to go and we are improving as a team, players and as an entire club.

"But I am a lot happier than I was after 87 minutes at Peterhead, that is what I am trying to say."

The Blue Toon have pulled out the stops to make sure tomorrow's game will go ahead and, as exclusively revealed in Thursday's Sporttimes, have even borrowed thermal covers from Highland SPL neighbours Ross County to beat the freeze and the threat of snow.

It is clear that McCoist is also desperate for the game to go ahead.

The Rangers manager said: "We want the game on because we will be travelling up today.

"I think we have a better chance of the game being on in places like Peterhead and Arbroath because they are on the coast.

"But we have a good bit of momentum behind us right now and we are very keen that the game goes ahead.

"I think Peterhead deserve credit for the measures they have gone to to give it the best chance they can of taking place."