RANGERS boss Ally McCoist has refused to rule out the prospect of strengthening his squad in the summer - despite the threat of cost-cutting at the club.

Light Blues chief executive Graham Wallace is currently carrying out a 120-day "restructuring project" at the SPFL League One leaders.

The Glasgow institution is operating at a loss and is facing financial difficulties in the future unless outgoings can be significantly reduced.

The members of the first-team squad were asked to take a 15 per cent pay cut by Wallace last month - an offer they rejected.

And McCoist has been unable to bring in any of the players he had targeted during the January transfer window due to the club's precarious position

But the Gers gaffer is hopeful that he will be in a position to bring in new faces before the move up to the full-time Championship next season.

He said: "Graham is re-assessing the situation all the time. It has been said there might be the possibility of bringing players in this summer. We'll probably re-assess that nearer the time. The whole picture is not completely bleak. He has come in and made an assessment of the situation. But he still wants his 120 days, which I think is only right and fair."

Meanwhile, McCoist has admitted it could take five years for Rangers to be back challenging Old Firm rivals Celtic for the Scottish title.

Wallace told representatives of the three main Rangers supporters' organisations, the Assembly, the Association and the Trust, that he wants to put a five-year plan in place.

And the Light Blues manager, whose team take on Brechin City at Ibrox in League One this afternoon, agrees it could take time before his side can compete with the Hoops.

He said: "I would agree with Graham. He has been honest with everybody and if he said a five-year plan has been put in operation then I think we should respect that."

McCoist added: "The chief executive has been nothing but completely upfront with me. I really am enjoying the early stages of the working relationship with Graham.

"We meet at least once or twice a week and speak a couple of times on the phone daily, which I think is very important."

McCoist has stressed it is not certain that Rangers will win promotion back to the top flight next season given the strength of the second tier.

He said: "I don't have us down as guaranteed to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton all doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."