Under-pressure Rangers boss Ally McCoist insists his side are still good enough to compete with top-flight opposition - despite dropping nine points behind in the Championship title race.

The Ibrox men saw their hopes of escaping the second tier take a huge hit when they lost 2-0 to promotion rivals Hearts at Tynecastle last weekend.

But McCoist believes his side are still capable of challenging the best sides in the country.

They have already beaten Inverness and St Johnstone this term and with Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock the next top-division side to visit Ibrox on Sunday, the Light Blues boss is eager for another chance to prove how good his side can be.

Speaking ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round clash, McCoist said: "I think we've proved we can compete with the Premiership teams this season, so we must go and do it again.

"We've beaten both Inverness and St Johnstone, which were both very difficult games and hard fought games - but I think we deserved to win them both.

"I think the boys have proved they can compete at that level with no problem at all.

"I wouldn't say this weekend's game is a welcome break from the league, but we're certainly looking forward to it.

"I think all the games, particularly this season, are of great and significant importance and the cup game on Sunday is certainly the same."

The furious Gers support chanted 'Ally, Ally get to f***' as Rangers lost to the Jambos in the capital.

It was the second time they have been beaten by Robbie Neilson's men, while the Gorgie side's Edinburgh rivals Hibernian have also been to Ibrox this term and won.

But results are not the only reason for the unhappiness amongst the Rangers faithful.

Since dropping down to the Third Division in 2012, the Glasgow giants have consistently failed to dominate their lower-league opponents or play with any kind of flair.

But McCoist insists he is still working hard to make sure his men put on a show.

"Without doubt we want to entertain people, we're in the entertainment business and that is very important," he said.

"There is always an onus on us all here at Rangers to entertain the people, as well as win games.

"The most important thing that drives us on is just to get the club back to the top flight - it doesn't just drive me, but also the players and the staff.

"We've got to remain focussed, of course there is flack flying about and that will never change, that is part and parcel of football.

"But the most important thing is that we don't lose our focus - which we won't."