ALLY MCCOIST could talk the talk with the best of them. Nobody could walk the walk like him, though.

The two sides to McCoist – the person and the player – are unique but the overall package was a complete one as he endeared himself to supporters with his personality off the park and his scoring instincts on it.

Fans will always take to players who have that gallus streak about them and current Gers forward Jason Cummings has quickly earned a place in the hearts of the Light Blue legions.

Read more: Ally McCoist expects a decision over Graeme Murty's Rangers future in the coming weeks

With his one-liners, tattoos and quirky personna, Cummings stands out from the crowd. Now, though, he must lead the way in the scoring charts if he is to really make his mark at Ibrox.

“I can relate to him,” McCoist said of the 22-year-old, who has scored five goals in 12 appearances for Graeme Murty’s side.

“He can finish. I’m not sure he can play up front himself in a three if that’s how they’re going to play, he looks as though he might be a better centre-forward in a two.

“He had an excellent finish against Falkirk in the Cup, he took it early and had an excellent finish. I’m not sure he’s quick enough or physically strong enough to play up front himself.

“[Alfredo] Morelos, for all people talk about the chances he misses, does a reasonable job of holding the ball up and playing in that position himself. So Cummings should look at that.

“And if Rangers get the ball into the box, there’s a good level of goal in him. My only concern is that some teams are loath to put balls into the box nowadays and I include Rangers, to a certain degree, in that.”

It is McCoist that leads the list that every striker at Ibrox wants to top but the Light Blue legend will be the first to admit that it wasn’t a solo effort.

Read more: I still love football but I'm not seeking a return to the dugout, says former Rangers boss Ally McCoist

There were few occasions when he found himself isolated at the head of an attack but that is the situation Cummings and Morelos are in more often than not.

The former Hibernian striker may not be accustomed to the lone striking role, but McCoist believes he can adapt his game to suit Rangers’ requirements.

He said: “100 per cent Cummings can learn how to play as a one. The improvement in Griffiths over the past couple of seasons has been immense.

“Morelos can play the role of a one as well. So Cummings should at the likes of [Leigh] Griffiths and Morelos and see what’s need. Just making angles, an ability to hold the ball up and bring people in.

“I didn’t do it myself on a lot of occasions but as my career went on I learned how to play in a one.

“You have to be a little bit more concerned about other things within the team and the game.

“If you are working in a two, you are working as a partnership. You score goals together. But a little bit more thought goes into it as a one I always felt.

Read more: Ally McCoist expects a decision over Graeme Murty's Rangers future in the coming weeks

“But certainly although I’m saying right now that he’s ready to play in a one, I wouldn’t rule it out in the future although he’d have to learn and improve.

“But the improvement in the past two or three years in Griffiths has been immense and Morelos has done it to a certain degree as well.”

It has been a steady rather than a spectacular start to life at Ibrox for Cummings following his move from Nottingham Forest in January.

But his place in the Scotland squad for the defeat to Costa Rica and win over Hungary was merited as Alex McLeish handed him his second call-up.

He and Jamie Murphy were the only two Ibrox representatives in the group and McCoist is keen to see more Gers players make the transition from Light Blue to Dark Blue.

He said: “I think any strong Scotland side, generally speaking, has a nucleus of the Old Firm.

Read more: I still love football but I'm not seeking a return to the dugout, says former Rangers boss Ally McCoist

“When we had a reasonable team, we had Paul McStay, Granty (Peter Grant) and boys like that that were in the Scotland team when we qualified for the World Cup and the Euros.

“I think it is important that your strongest teams are well represented at national level, I think that makes sense.

“Graeme’s signings have definitely given the club more of an identity back that the supporters can relate to.

“Docherty from Hamilton is a good signing. He has still got a long way to go but he has shown promise. I think Murphy has been an excellent signing, Cummings on loan time will tell. I think the sooner there is a path back for the lads the better.

“Alex will give them a chance, there is no doubt about that, because from what we have seen and heard from Alex he is crying out to give people an opportunity.

“We have got some good ones coming through. [Kieran] Tierney is sensational, [Andy] Robertson is phenomenal.

Read more: Ally McCoist expects a decision over Graeme Murty's Rangers future in the coming weeks

“The bit I would still be a bit concerned is at centre back. I know the boys [Jack] Hendry and [Scott] McKenna did well on Tuesday night but looking at the spine of the team you are needing a couple of centre backs to come through.”

It is those berths at the back that have been a source of consternation for Scotland for some time and the problems must be solved if McLeish is to have any chance of leading his side to the European Championships.

The friendly fixtures with Peru and Mexico at the end of the campaign are another chance for fresh faces to impress.

And McCoist hopes Ibrox stoppers Ross McCrorie and David Bates will be given the opportunity to catch the eye by McLeish.

He said: “McCrorie has been outstanding from Rangers point of view and Bates was excellent when he came on at Celtic Park, then he got the injury in the game at Ibrox.

“I’d be hopeful – there is genuine hope. People were jumping right after the game against Costa Rica but people clearly have to be given time and the Hungary result was very encouraging.

“You just hope that we get a bit of shape, a bit of belief and a bit of form before the next qualifiers.

Read more: I still love football but I'm not seeking a return to the dugout, says former Rangers boss Ally McCoist

“Nowadays Rangers are a completely different proposition to go to. A few years ago you weren’t going to get top internationals going to Rangers and I don’t think they’re back at that level – but you could make that argument for Scottish football nowadays.

“I’m not sure top internationals are going to come to Scotland. But Rangers are back in an arena where young home-grown talent will look at Rangers and say ‘I’ll go there and get a chance’ – and if they do well, every kid wants to play for their country.

“It (the matches with Peru and Mexico) is 100 per cent an opportunity for players. I’d imagine there might be one or two call-offs.

“But as one door closes, another opens. Those two, more than anything, will be an opportunity to try out some of the younger boys and have a look at them.”

*Ally McCoist was speaking at the handover of £15,000 to charity from St Cadoc's Youth Club. The East Renfrewshire club, which has 800 young footballers and netballers, have raised £65,000 for various charities at Gala Charity Dinners over the last five years.

This year's beneficiaries include St Andrews Hospice, Scottish Action for Refugees, Anchor House - Special Needs and Trussell Trust Food Bank.