SIR Alex Ferguson has praised the job Ally McCoist has done at his old club Rangers during their off-field troubles.

And the legendary Manchester United gaffer has predicted McCoist's team can overcome Falkirk in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Ferguson, who is in Scotland promoting his new autobiography, was on hand to help with the cup draw in Aberdeen yesterday.

And the former Dons boss drew his boyhood heroes Rangers to face Falkirk, another of his old clubs, away from home later on this month.

He feels the Light Blues have a great chance of beating the SPFL Championship side with McCoist at the helm.

Sir Alex said: "Rangers have done really well.

"I think Ally has done a great job stabilising the club and making improvements from last year.

"Playing Falkirk will be a hard game. But I think they will be going to Falkirk with a lot of confidence."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed Aberdeen as serious contenders for the Scottish Cup after setting up his former club with a trip to face Partick Thistle at Firhill.

He watched the Dons beat Partick 4-0 to move into second place in the SPFL Premiership on Monday night. The Scot has been impressed with the way Derek McInnes has reshaped Aberdeen since taking over in April.

And he believes they are well in the running to win the trophy for the first time since 1990.

The man who led Aberdeen to four of their seven Scottish Cup wins before joining United said: "I watched them on Monday night and I think they have every chance.

"An away draw is always difficult in the cup.

"I saw Partick against Celtic a couple of weeks back and I thought they did okay, they played some good football.

"It won't be easy but Aberdeen are the only side who have ever really given Partick a bit of a thrashing - 3-0 at Firhill and 4-0 last night."

Ferguson added: "I'm really pleased for Derek. I thought he was a little bit unlucky down in England.

"He got Bristol City at a time when they were on a downer. It was very unfortunate. But you see the job he is doing now.

"I think all managers have got potential.

"The thing is to give them time to create their potential and I think Derek, given time at Aberdeen, will do very well."

Ferguson believes a 4-1 extra-time triumph over Rangers in the 1982 Scottish Cup final was the catalyst for much of his success at Pittodrie.

"In my time I thought it was the best tournament to win in terms of cups," Ferguson said.

"The Scottish Cup was possibly the starting point. Although they won the league in 1980, it really took off in '82 when they won the cup."