JON DALY has urged his Rangers team-mates to show character in the face of adversity when they take on English Premier League giants Newcastle tonight.

Ally McCoist's side crashed to an embarrassing defeat to part-time Forfar Athletic on Saturday as they fell at the first hurdle in the League Cup.

After an encouraging pre-season campaign and a comfortable 4-0 win over Albion Rovers in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup, the shock loss at Station Park was a huge blow to the under-pressure Light Blues.

Next on the agenda for McCoist's men is a friendly with the Toon tonight, with the Gers boss able to field all eight of his summer signings as the champions turn out at Ibrox for the first time this season.

The Third Division league flag will be unfurled when Rangers begin their SPFL League One title challenge on Saturday.

And Daly is determined to see the Gers head into their league curtain-raiser in a more positive frame of mind as they gear up for their Toon test.

The striker said: "We've all played in games that haven't gone our way and it was difficult at the weekend.

"We had enough chances to win but unfortunately things didn't go our way.

"That's hard for the younger boys to take when you lose in that manner but it's up to the rest of us to lift them up.

"Everyone at the club felt we had a chance of going on a good cup run, but we've fallen at the first hurdle and that's football. We can't dwell on it and we need to move forward.

"If you let defeats get to you, it can affect you in your next couple of games. We need to try to move on and ensure that sort of thing doesn't happen again.

"The Newcastle game is a good one for us. We've gelled quite well as a squad and we're looking forward to playing at home for the first time this season.

"The boys need to take what happened on Saturday on the chin and I think you'll see the character from them now.

"They'll need to respond and this is a massive fixture for us. I'd like to think we can do ourselves justice in it.

"We've got a good squad of players and I'm sure the team the manager puts out will do a good job."

While Daly and fellow new arrivals such as Arnold Peralta, Nicky Law and Nicky Clark are poised for their home debuts tonight, there will be no appearance for another two trialists.

McCoist ran the rule over former Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe and ex-Fulham forward Hameur Bouazza last week but the pair have now left the club and won't be part of his plans.

McCoist said: "We enjoyed having the boys here and they both showed up just fine, but we've allowed them to look at other options.

"They did well and we will continue to monitor their situations. We wish them all the best and thank them for taking the time to work with us."