ALLY McCOIST was delighted to send the Ibrox crowd home happy after Rangers booked their place in the League Cup third round with victory over Inverness Caley Thistle.

Just 15,000 fans turned out to see Lewis Macleod net the only goal of the game to set up a meeting with Championship rivals Falkirk next week.

It has been another tumultuous few days at Ibrox as tensions between the terraces and boardroom have once again escalated but there was brief respite for the embattled Light Blue legions on the park as the Gers knocked out their Premiership visitors.

McCoist said: "Before the game I said that we are duty-bound to train all our energy and thoughts into things that we can have a bearing and effect on and we have sent the Rangers fans home with a smile tonight.

"I have no doubt there will be thousands and thousands sitting round radios and watching televisions equally delighted with a smile on their face and that is a very big part of our job that makes us feel good.

"I can understand [the attendance]. I want the stadium full, of course I do. I am the manager of the team and the more people that come and support the team the better.

"But I can understand what is going on. As I said, I am doing my level best not to get involved in it, I can't have a bearing on it.

"What I can have a bearing on is picking teams that can hopefully go out and get results like we got tonight."

Ibrox may have been far from full for Rangers' first meeting with a top flight team this term but the fans that stayed away missed an encouraging showing from the League One champions.

There was nothing to suggest a gulf in division between the teams as McCoist's side deserved their win against a Caley outfit that are second top of the Premiership standings.

Macleod's deflected strike 12 minutes from time was enough to book Rangers' place in the next round as he capped another impressive performance with a crucial goal.

And McCoist is pleased to see the 20-year-old doing what he does best after a frustrating end to last season.

McCoist said: "He has got a very mature head on young shoulders and it is great to have him back.

"I am not going to put any pressure on him at all other than to say it is fabulous to see him playing with a smile on his face after what he has been through the last 12 months.

"It is wonderful to see him back playing, training, enjoying himself and having the opportunity to entertain our fans, who clearly, and rightly so, have taken him to their hearts."