Ally McCoist is still hopeful of securing the services of former Heart of Midlothian defender Marius Zaliukas.

McCoist offered the Lithuanian internationalist a contract last week after being impressed with him during a trial at Murray Park.

The player, who is a free agent after parting company with the stricken Tynecastle club, returned home to mull over the offer at the weekend.

And the Gers gaffer is optimistic of making the 6ft 3in defender his tenth and final signing for the 2013/14 campaign.

He said: "I am going to phone him to see what the situation is. I will have a chat to him and see what he has got to say."

McCoist is keen to strengthen his Rangers squad further despite the comfortable lead his side has already built up in SPFL League One.

He feels the full-time Ibrox club will not, as many had been predicting after their first five matches, sweep all before them in what is largely a part-time league this season. He stated: "We knew it was going to be really tough going to Forfar.

"We didn't need to be reminded how tough this league can be. We got the game we expected.

"Forfar were spirited and very professional so we're delighted to go back down the road with the three points. It was as competitive a fixture as we have had in a long, long time.

"I'm not sure we would have won the game a year ago. So it was pleasing from that point of view. As was the fact that we once again got a clean sheet.

"I thought that we had the better chances. But Forfar still posed a threat, particularly late in the game. We know it is going to be a long hard season. Nothing has changed that.

"I will watch the game through again as I always do. The performance wasn't that good. But, overall, I am very happy to have come through what we knew would be a difficult game having picked up all three points."