ALLY McCOIST has expressed his sympathy that his players and the Light Blue legions are once again being dragged through the mire.

Just weeks after the Ibrox board emerged unscathed at the Gers' fiery annual general meeting, the club's outlook is once again bleak as chief executive Graham Wallace attempts to slash costs and balance the books.

McCoist's players have vetoed plans that would see a 15% wage cut implemented as Wallace looks to make drastic savings.

Supporters have again hit out at the under-fire board, with fans chief Drew Roberton slamming their 'incompetence' in SportTimes yesterday.

Fans have shown superb loyalty to the club in their hours of need and McCoist feels the pain of those in the stands and under his command.

He said: "The ones that are hurting more than anybody, and rightly so, are the fans, players and staff again.

"The fans have absolutely done their bit. 36,000 (season ticket holders) two years running!

"There is absolutely no doubt they have done their bit. And the players have done their bit as well in my opinion.

"The players have got us out of the last league and they are doing exceptionally well in this league to get us out of it.

"You can argue about bits and pieces and performances, but they are doing their bit. As are the fans.

"My sympathies certainly go to those two groups again and without doubt the other staff of Ibrox and Murray Park."

Despite racking in £22million from their IPO and receiving two batches of season ticket sales, Gers are once again facing a cash crisis.

McCoist said: "I think we have all accepted that again there are going to be extremely tough times ahead.

"We always knew that there were going to be tough times ahead, but obviously events recently would indicate that if anybody needed reassured there are going to be tough times ahead. We are right back in it."