A draw with tiny Annan in the league away and a defeat to Queen of the South at home in the cup were not well received.
A loss, or even a draw, to part-time opposition in the Irn- Bru Third Division match at Ibrox yesterday would have tipped many Gers fans over the edge. It would not, to put it mildly, have made for a particularly cheery 50th birthday celebration for a naturally ebullient character.
Ultimately, though, results are what will determine whether McCoist is a success or a failure as Rangers manager.
His legendary status as a player will not keep him in the job if a certain standard of play and level of achievement is not attained on the park.
The gratitude supporters feel towards him for acting as the Glasgow club's figurehead during a traumatic year will also count for nothing.
Yet, Super Ally, as he always will be referred to in the Govan vicinity, wouldn't have it any other way.
To spend 15 years as first- choice striker at a major club like Rangers you have to know how to handle pressure and be able to deliver when your ability is called into question.
The way his team responded to their last two below-par performances – and to being pegged back to level terms at half-time – against Montrose underlined that he retains that edge as a manager.
Yes, they should always beat, and beat resoundingly, adversaries who have, in comparison, such paltry resources and small fan bases at home and away.
Nevertheless, when the natives grow restless at Ibrox they are not slow in voicing their displeasure and it takes resolve to withstand the flak and perform.
After some nervous early moments yesterday – a trait the Rangers management team must work harder to eradicate – Dean Shiels put the hosts in front midway through the first half.
Right-back Anestis Argy-riou, who had headed against his own post in the first couple of minutes, quickly cancelled out his team-mate's strike when he nodded Ricky McIntosh's free-kick into his own net.
Failure to pick up all three points against Montrose would have been the worst result by far of a turbulent campaign.
Fine goals from Lewis Macleod, who continues to impress with his maturity and skill and who was a popular man of the match, Lee McCulloch and Robbie Crawford in the second half averted potential disaster.
"We got a good reaction in the second half," admitted McCoist. "We asked the lads for a response at half-time and the increase in tempo and quality of passing and movement made for a vastly improved performance from our team."
Those not completely satisfied with the stewardship of McCoist would do well to remember the inexperience and youthfulness of his side.
Sure, Neil Alexander, Ian Black, McCulloch and Lee Wallace have all been capped by Scotland, Shiels is a current Northern Ireland internationalist and Emilson Cribari has also played abroad at a high level.
However, Fraser Aird, Crawford, Barrie McKay, Macleod and Ross Perry, who were all involved against Montrose, are barely out of short trousers.
Aird made his first-team debut when he replaced McKay in the second half.
He is a powerful runner who looks comfortable on the ball and made several electrifying breaks down the left flank.
McCoist said: "We have to get out of this division this season. But we are rebuilding and now is an ideal time to blood youngsters. We are asking boys to do men's jobs, but they are doing it well.
"We don't want to put too much pressure on them, but these kids have been fabulous. Hopefully, we can keep them in the side."
Aird was denied a goal when referee Stephen Finnie stopped play inexplicably and awarded the home team a free-kick when he was clean through on goal with just keeper David Crawford to beat.
On the promising evidence of his showing yesterday he will have more to celebrate in the future – just like his manager did untold times during his own time as a player.
Before kick-off, a giant banner was unveiled in the Family Stand. It read: "Ally McCoist MBE. Player. Manager. Supporter. Legend."
The affection Rangers fans feel towards McCoist will buy him some time, if another dip in form means he needs some, as he continues to build a team from scratch and move up the divisions. The man himself would prefer it if his side's results were all that was taken into account.
Even in these demanding times, yesterday's display from the fans showed his hero status remains intact.
