Ally McCoist fuming as Falkirk kids dump Rangers out of cup

Manager Ally McCoist believes his Rangers players have only themselves to blame for their shock League Cup defeat by a very youthful Falkirk line-up.

Just three days after beating Celtic 4-2 in the Scottish Premier League, the cup holders were stunned 3-2 by the First Division side.

"We put out a team that should've been good enough to win and they didn't. So we deserve criticism," said McCoist.

"There's no shirking any issues. It's a massive blow for us."

Farid El Allagui grabbed a double for a Falkirk side that included a 16 and a 17-year-old in the starting line-up, before Rangers hit back through late goals from Dorin Goian and Nikica Jelavic.

But, just as the third round tie appeared to be heading for extra time, Mark Millar netted from a free kick to rule out any prospect of a domestic treble for the Scottish champions this season.

"When you don't turn up till you're a goal down, sometimes you get what you deserve," fumed McCoist. "Effectively, that's what we did. That's not good enough.

"There was just not enough of the boys playing at the right tempo. It was a really, really poor first-half performance.

"I'm just very, very disappointed and angry that we didn't start the game as we finished it.

"We knew Falkirk would give us a game. They fought like a good team. It's to Falkirk's credit that they're through."

Rangers have already tasted disappointment this season after exiting both the Champions League and the Europa League at the qualifying stages, and McCoist says this latest setback is no easier to take.

"It's sore, it's really sore," he added. "I don't really think one defeat is easier or better to take than another. We just don't like getting beat.

"Everybody knew the message. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, if you don't go out and play, if you don't show them the respect by playing the game at a high tempo, then that can be a great leveller.

"We created a lot of chances and we didn't take them but the bottom line for me is that we didn't play the game in the manner we should have for an hour until we lost the goal.

"That's why we are not in the cup.

"We will definitely have a chat about it, of course we will. But we will just have to get a reaction at Dunfermline on Saturday. It's as simple as that."