ALLY McCOIST today laughed off claims by Celtic striker John Guidetti that Rangers are "going down" if the Old Firm rivals clash in the League Cup semi-final.

Swedish striker Guidetti made his bold vow after banging in three goals in Celtic's 6-0 win over 10-man Partick Thistle at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

McCoist, who netted a record 28 hat-tricks for the Gers in his playing days, aimed a tongue-in-cheek dig at the on-loan Manchester City player.

And the Light Blues boss stressed that, despite saying he wanted to avoid the Hoops in the semi-final draw tonight, he was not "running scared" of the Scottish champions.

He said: "With the greatest of respect to John, I remember getting excited about my first hat-trick . . . but against 11 men!

"He's enitled to his opinion and that's the way it is.

"But maybe, just maybe, he's got caught up in the excitement of scoring his first hat-trick for Celtic, which of course we congratulate him on."

McCoist added: "I need to explain my comments in midweek about not wanting to play Celtic because there have been one or two things written and said.

"I am certainly not running scared or hiding behind the couch. I thought it was common sense what I was trying to say and I stand by that.

"Celtic are 4/5 favourites, everybody else is 9/2.Because the bookies are very rarely wrong, I thought it was common sense that you'd like a shot at one of the teams at 9/2 in terms of enhancing your chances of making the final.

"There is no 'I want to avoid Celtic at all costs'."

McCoist also disagreed with suggestions by Celtic boss Ronny Deila that the SPFL Premiership clubs still in the League Cup - Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United - were favourites to win.

He said: "In normal circumstances he would be right. But in the last few years nothing has been what it seems in Scottish football.

"You have three of the five biggest clubs in the country playing in the Championship. That would tell you it's not normal circumstances."

McCoist says he has not spoken to former Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias since he was appointed as a consultant earlier this week.

However, he stressed he has had regular dialogue with shareholder Sandy Easdale and executive chairman David Somers since chief executive Graham Wallace resigned.

McCoist will be without winger Fraser Aird and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen for the William Hill Scottish Cup third-round game against Dumbarton at the Bet Butler Stadium this afternoon.

Simonsen injured his head in the 1-0 win over St Johnstone in the League Cup quarter-final in midweek and will be replaced by Lee Robinson. Aird has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a strain.

McCoist said: "I'm going in to have my usual argument with the doc, but I think he will be 100 per cent against allowing Simmo to play."