RANGERS legend Derek Johnstone today appealed to the Ibrox board to give under-fire manager Ally McCoist the time he needs to complete "The Journey".

Gers supporters turned on McCoist on Wednesday night as they crashed out of the Petrofac Training Cup to part-time minnows Alloa.

But club icon DJ said: "I am standing by the manager. I really don't see what changing the manager will achieve at this stage.

"He has taken the team from the depths of the Third Division to the brink of the top flight. He wants to see the job he started through.

"To deny him the chance to do that because of this result against Alloa, as bad as it undoubtedly was, would be wrong in my opinion."

The Light Blues were leading 2-0 in the semi-final tie at the Indodrill Stadium with less than 20 minutes of the match remaining.

But they suffered an astonishing late collapse to opponents who were missing no fewer than nine first team players and lost the match 3-2.

The legendary striker was subjected to vitriolic abuse from many Rangers fans at the final whistle for the second time in three games.

And calls for him to be sacked have intensified on internet forums and radio phone-ins since the humiliating reverse to the Wasps.

The manager's position was discussed by directors at the SPFL Championship club, who have suffered some disappointing results in recent weeks, yesterday.

Rangers have fallen nine points behind leaders Hearts in the second tier table after drawing 1-1 with Alloa at Ibrox and losing 2-0 to the Jambos at Tynecastle.

But the League One champions are still in the League Cup and Scottish Cup and senior Rangers officials are set to give McCoist more time.

Despite that Johnstone feels the pressure on the manager to succeed is now greater than at any stage in his three and half year reign as manager.

He expressed hope that, despite the ongoing financial difficulties at Ibrox, McCoist is given the chance to freshen his squad in the January transfer window.

He said: "Ultimately, it is the players who get managers the sack.

"The players escaped the flak after the result to Alloa.

"The manager is under more pressure now than he has ever been in his time in charge at Rangers. Every time his team takes to field he will be under scrutiny.

"If his side loses a game or drops points in the league he will have the punters on his back. Every game is going to be vital from here on in.

"We don't know if Ally can strengthen next month.

"I think we will find that out in the next month or so. But it would help his position and the team if he could do so."