THOSE Rangers fans who make the fortnightly pilgrimage to Ibrox have had plenty to cheer in recent years - but Govan has not been home-sweet-home for the champions so far this season.

The Light Blue legions have seen a significant amount of silverware, including three successive Scottish Premier League titles, paraded around the famous stadium in the not too distant past.

But, as Ally McCoist attempts to secure four-in-a-row, the stands from which his name used to be chanted have developed a collective anxiety.

McCoist has tasted victory in just five of the 10 home games in which he has led Rangers since taking over from Walter Smith in the summer.

Malmo and Maribor left Glasgow with a victory and draw respectively in the season's early stages, results that ultimately cost Rangers their place in European competition as McCoist's reign got off to a shaky start.

On Saturday, St Johnstone became the latest SPL side to avoid defeat at Ibrox, following in the footsteps of Hearts and St Mirren in claiming a deserved draw and silencing the partisan home support.

The champions may have seen off Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Dundee United but, their superb Old Firm derby showing apart, McCoist's side have failed to hit the standards expected of them by their manager and supporters.

The champions perhaps got no less than they deserved from a lacklustre display last Saturday as they shipped what could prove to be two precious points in the title race – and former Ibrox goal hero Colin Stein reckons a lack of cutting edge is proving Rangers' downfall on their own doorstep.

"The biggest concern for me on Saturday was the lack of chances Rangers created," Stein told SportTimes.

"When you are at Ibrox, you expect Rangers to create a lot more chances, and obviously score. Nikica Jelavic was up front, but he didn't really get much service."

He added: "Steven Davis didn't have a great game either, so the strikers didn't get any service. You can be the greatest striker in the world, but if you don't get the service then you won't score goals.

"They will certainly miss Steven Naismith because he creates goals as well as scores goals. Alongside Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty, he is one of the players you can turn to to change a game and get you a goal.

"If you don't score goals, you don't win games. It is as simple as that."

Rangers headed into Saturday's Saints clash knowing that Celtic had already cut their lead at the top of the SPL to nine points with victory over Inverness Caley Thistle, but they struggled to break down a resolute Perth defensive line.

Steve Lomas' side were solid and well-organised and will have left Ibrox content with their day's work after they completed the second part of a remarkable Glasgow double this season.

The Saints, under former boss Derek McInnes, clinched a surprise 1-0 win at Parkhead earlier in the campaign, with Dave McKay netting the only goal of the game to spark off a poor run of results for Neil Lennon's side.

Both sides of the Old Firm have looked unconvincing on home soil this term and Stein reckons a greater urgency to put the game to bed is required.

"I don't think teams are having more of a go, but they seem to be getting more points," he said.

"Normally when visiting teams go to Ibrox, or Parkhead, they shut up shop and try to get to the latter stages of the game still in with a chance of getting something.

"The longer the game goes on and Rangers don't score, teams get confidence from that and grow into the game.

"Jody Morris ran the show for St Johnstone on Saturday and you could see the confidence growing around their team.

"They played well and deserved their point, but Rangers were disappointing."

Having seen their advantage at the summit of the SPL cut, Rangers must now take a back seat as Celtic bid to get right back into the title race.

Neil Lennon's side host Dunfermline tomorrow and St Mirren on Saturday, giving them the chance to move to within four points of the champions.

Rangers will, of course, have the chance to reassert themselves 24 hours later when they face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The Gers have been kings of the road so far this term as they have notched up seven successive away wins but, as the title race continues to unfold, the pressure to sort out their Ibrox demons will increase on McCoist's stars.

Stein said: "Celtic have got Dunfermline tomorrow night and then they play on Saturday so the gap could be closed by the time Rangers play on Sunday.

"It will be interesting to see what happens. Rangers' away form has been terrific, but they have got to make Ibrox a fortress again, they have not been playing well at home this season. You can't afford to keep dropping points at home if you are going to win the league."