Ally McCoist has insisted that hosting Celtic at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final is no nightmare draw, urging Rangers to "grab it with both hands" after Derek McInnes secured his first win as manager.
McCoist backs Rangers for Old Firm cup tie
Speaking on talkSPORT, the 63-year-old Rangers hero responded to presenter Jeff Stelling's suggestion that the draw was a nightmare, saying: "It's not the tie you least wanted, because the tie you least wanted was Celtic vs Rangers. Aye, bring it on."
McCoist, however, admitted he would feel differently if the tie were reversed and played at Celtic Park.
McInnes's first win sets up clash
McCoist's comments came after his close friend McInnes guided Rangers to a 5-1 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox, which secured their place in the last eight and set up the meeting with their greatest rivals.
Celtic, who spent £30m on new signings under Martin O'Neill, have started the season strongly and will travel to Ibrox on September 12 or 13, before hosting Rangers in the Premiership the following weekend.
Opportunity despite poor start
McCoist acknowledged Rangers' difficult start, citing injuries to Youssef Chermiti and Tuur Rommens and below-par performances, but stressed the cup tie represents a chance to turn things around.
"You have to look at it as an opportunity," he said. "It's not been a good start, of course it's not. A horrendous couple of injuries to Youssef Chermiti and Tuur Rommens. The level of performance hasn't been good enough. All of a sudden you get a good result and an opportunity to play your biggest rivals, you must go and grab it with both hands."
