Rangers squad is stronger, says Steven Naismith

Rangers forward Steven Naismith believes the club squad is stronger than it was last season, when they won the league and League Cup double.

Rangers lost to First Division Falkirk in the League Cup on Wednesday, having made four changes from the side that beat Celtic on Sunday.

That led to question marks over the depth of talent at Ibrox.

But Naismith said: "We've definitely got a strong enough squad. We've got a stronger squad than a year ago."

However, the Scotland international also stressed the need to step up to the plate when joining Rangers.

"If there's a player here, they've got to expect they are good enough [to come into the first team]," he said. "They can't come here and want to be a bit-part player.

"Whatever team the manager plays anytime throughout the season then they've got to be good enough. If they're not, they shouldn't be here.

"But I wouldn't say it's just about players that came into the team. I would say we weren't good enough as a team."

That was certainly the view of the Rangers manager Ally McCoist.

"We replaced four players with four internationals, so that would say we should have players who are good enough to come in and play," he said.

"I firmly believe we do have, but I just think it was the way we went about the match the other night that was the problem, not the players."

McCoist was furious after the surprise defeat by Falkirk and has called for a positive reaction on Saturday when they visit Dunfermline.

"We can't really dwell on things for too long," added McCoist.

"It goes without saying that the result was a massive disappointment, but the one thing about being involved at a club like this is that you don't get too long to stay high or stay low, whichever one it is.

"After the game in midweek, it was a big, big low. Our league form has been fairly good, so tomorrow gives us an opportunity to continue that good form."