RANGERS boss Ally McCoist has warned he will have to strengthen his squad further before the Ibrox club move up to the SPFL Championship.

McCoist brought in eight free agents during the summer and has played the majority of his new recruits in the first team this season.

But the Gers gaffer believes they will have to undergo another "incredible transformation" as they continue their journey back to the top flight.

The desire to improve his pool of players could potentially put him at loggerheads with Gers chief executive Graham Wallace in the months ahead, with the CEO stressing he will need to cut costs in the months ahead.

That could mean trimming the squad at the SPFL League One club.

McCoist said: "Obviously we were disappointed with the performance against Stranraer, but we have been delighted with the progress made over this year as a whole.

"The transformation has been quite incredible. But it is going to have to be equally incredible to keep going and moving up the leagues.

"I think everyone can see the improvement in overall performances from last season. That has been pretty evident,

but we know it has to continue.

"There has to be an ongoing transformation moving up the leagues. I'm not sure we can bring in so many players again, possibly due to the finances.

"But once I speak to the chief executive I'll have a better indication of where we are on that matter."

Meanwhile, McCoist has called on his players to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with Stranraer at Ibrox on Boxing Day with a win over Dunfermline.

Rangers blew their chances of recording a "Perfect Season" in League One when they conceded an injury-time equaliser to the Stair Park club.

The result also brought to an end their record-breaking 20-game run of consecutive victories.

McCoist wants his team to finish off 2013 on a high with a victory over the second-placed Pars at East End Park on Monday.

He said: "We are coming off the back of a really disappointing performance.

"We are looking to win the game on Monday,

but also for a far better performance up at Dunfermline.

"Anyone who was at our last game would know they were certainly up for the game.

"Three of our players ended up in hospital.

"That's not to say they were anything other than up for the game, of course.

"I would imagine Dunfermline will be the same at their own ground on Monday so our players will certainly know they are going to be in a game. And I'll make sure they are ready."