FORMER Rangers defender Ian Murray insists Light Blues boss Ally McCoist will have to bolster his squad if they are to claim the Championship crown next season.

The 33-year-old led Dumbarton to a fifth-place finish this term as they narrowly missed out on a play-off berth.

And they will go head-to-head with the Gers next time out as McCoist's men and Hearts get set to fight it out for the title.

The Gers gaffer already has the second highest wage bill in the country at his disposal and will spend the summer trying to add more quality to a squad he has packed with Premiership-standard players.

And Sons boss Murray reckons Rangers will need to strengthen again if they are to clinch their third successive league flag and book a place in the Premiership at the first time of asking.

He told SportTimes: "Any team that can go undefeated in our league is doing very well.

"You could see this season that it can be nuts. Anyone can beat anyone.

"Rangers will be favourites, of course they will be, especially at Ibrox when they have the home crowd behind them.

"But I think it really depends on what players they add to the squad. I think they do need to add, if they think they are going to go and win the league, they need to add to the squad, there is no question about that.

"Ally will know that. I am not sure if they can, I have no clue about their finances.

"They will see a definite difference in ability and tempo of the game in the Championship.

"I know they are used to Astroturf, but when the likes of Falkirk, and Hamilton if they stay down, get going and start popping it around on it they are decent teams."