IBROX hero John Brown reckons isolated Ally McCoist finds himself in a

IBROX hero John Brown reckons isolated Ally McCoist finds himself in a

'disgusting' position as Rangers boss.

McCoist has come under huge criticism from supporters in recent days, and was the target of unsavoury chants from some fans during Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

Rangers are nine points off the pace in the Championship title race and under real pressure to turn around a faltering campaign.

The Ibrox boss has

had more than on-field

problems to contend with during his tumultuous career in the dugout.

And Brown has expressed his sympathy for McCoist as he battles to restore some faith from the stands.

He said: "I feel sorry for Ally because if you look at Graeme Souness and Walter Smith, they had David Murray backing them to the hilt. I have got to say the situation Ally finds himself working under is disgusting.

"To be left in the situation when you are trying to run a football team, there is no doubt it will affect what's on the park.

"Ally McCoist was given a task to get the club back into the Premiership and he is still going to achieve that. But if you think the off-field stuff does not have an effect on the team you are wrong."

After falling further adrift in the Championship title race at the weekend, Rangers must find a significant improvement when they face Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Light Blues have taken two Premiership scalps already this season as they have seen off Inverness Caley Thistle and St Johnstone.

Victory over Killie would take them into the last eight of the Scottish Cup and Brown has called on McCoist's players to raise their game and live up to expectations.

Bomber said: "I also have to be very critical of the players right now.

"I have a lot of time for many of them but, for the standard of player there, they are vastly under-achieving. I think it is a disgrace that guys like Kenny

Miller, Kris Boyd and Lee McCulloch - international players - and the experience they have got, have been putting in the type of performances they have been. It's shocking.

"People can criticise Ally all they want, but when you look at that standard of player and the money they are earning and the fact they are going on that park and not producing performances or even spirit, then you have to lay the blame at the players.

"The manager can pick the team, but it is down to the players on the park to go and show a desire to win. But there has been a lack of real passion in that team and you have to look at them for that. The players need to get their fingers out."