KENNY McDOWALL has jumped to the defence of Rangers manager Ally McCoist.

The Ibrox gaffer has been criticised in the wake of their early exits in both domestic cup competitions as well as failing to reach the latter stages of the Ramsdens Cup.

But his assistant manager believes anyone looking to have a pop at McCoist should think again.

He said: "We're not wee boys. We are well experienced at our jobs and we know you'll never please everybody.

"I think he deserves better but the majority are giving him that backing. If you take it back a year to see what he went through for the last 12 months.

"When you sign up to be a manager you know your remit is to sign players and put out a successful team. But Ally has been doing 10 people's jobs. For nothing.

"I hope this year Coisty gets the credit he's due if and when we manage to win the championship because he deserves some people to come out and say 'that's a hell of a job you've done.'

A year on from admini-stration, McDowall admits the training ground was the only place which brought out a smile in McCoist back then during the dark days.

He added: "Training was a breath of fresh air. Ally could get outside for an hour and we could actually talk about the team. The training ground was probably the only place I remember Ally smiling."

RangersTV will be showing a fantastic new documentary tomorrow night charting the club's rise since administration 12 months ago.

Supporters can subscribe now from just £5 per month – or watch this programme for just 99p – by logging on to www.rangerstv.tv.