ALLY McCOIST insists he can handle the flak being directed at him from disgruntled fans.

The Ibrox boss has vowed that the criticism will only make him stronger as he bids to guide Rangers to Championship title glory.

McCoist has been under the spotlight this week after his side were beaten in their opening Championship clash of the campaign at home to Hearts on Sunday.

Defeat against the Jambos came just days after a poor performance in the Petrofac Training Cup win over Hibernian.

Rangers head to Falkirk tonight aiming to get their title challenge back on track and McCoist won't allow the hysterical reaction to affect him or his squad.

He said: "It's the balance. We're extremely disappointed but we don't go crazy when we win and we don't get too down when things don't go our way.

"If you can treat victories and defeats with a similar level of sanity then you've got a chance.

"That's the case [that you are 90 minutes from people calling for your head], and far better managers than me have had stick, it's part of being a football supporter.

"You have to accept it, even though you might not always agree with it. It makes you stronger and more determined to get the job done."

The pressure has grown on McCoist and his players in the aftermath of their defeat to Hearts at the weekend and Rangers are in need of a much- improved performance, and all three points, against the Bairns this evening.

After strolling their way to the Third Division and League One titles in the last two seasons, the race for the Championship crown will be the toughest hurdle the Gers will have to overcome on their journey back to the top of Scottish football.

And McCoist is confident it can still be a successful one with the backing of the Light Blue legions this term.

He said: "I'm not saying they have to be more patient because the one thing they've been is remarkable.

"I wouldn't ask them to be anything other than as supportive as they've been.

"I think the majority of fans know it's going to be a lot tougher.

"The teams we're playing the majority of them are full-time, they're better quality than the teams we've been playing in the last two seasons.

"That would indicate we're not going to win the league by 39 points.

"The main objective is that we go into the top division at the first time of asking as champions.

"It's a long journey, this particular season, it's going to be a bumpy ride and we'd a bumpy ride on Sunday, we just need to smooth things over and get moving again."