McCoist confident Rangers can grab vital goal in Greece

ALLY McCoist is confident Rangers can score a vital away goal against Panathinaikos in Athens to keep their Uefa Cup dream alive.

SPL leaders Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw by Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Uefa Cup clash at Ibrox last Wednesday. But Rangers assistant manager McCoist, who jetted out yesterday with Walter Smith and the squad to Athens, insists they have shown on their European travels this season they can score away from home, having bagged three in Lyon and two against Stuttgart.

Rangers have kept eight successive clean sheets and McCoist believes their defensive form is the foundation for them to progress – as long as they rediscover their goalscoring touch.

McCoist said: "A lot of people were a little bit disappointed with the initial result at home but I think we can take a lot from it. We had chances to win the game but the most important thing if we didn't score was not to lose and we didn't concede.

"The lads have been looking quite solid, so if we can continue that defensive form then that'll be smashing. It allows us to be more offensive because we've got a clean sheet. Their coach got it spot on when he said the game is perfectly poised because with them not scoring an away goal it doesn't make it that great a result for them either.

"We've already shown we can score goals on our travels this season in Europe, so we're looking forward to it and I think we're more than capable of scoring over here. The Lyon result was arguably one of the clubs best performances in Europe, to score three goals over there was marvellous.

"But to score two goals against the German champions Stuttgart was also great. So that shows we can travel anywhere in Europe and we're confident of scoring goals."

Daniel Cousin was included in Smith's squad for tomorrow's match as the Gabon international waits on Fifa's verdict over whether his £3 million move to Fulham can go ahead.

Cousin came on as a second-half substitute against Panathinaikos last week and McCoist revealed he has been working on his fitness and could be used against the Greeks.

He said: "It's a bonus we've got Daniel available, the more players we have available means we've got a better chance.

"Daniel's fitness wasn't a concern but we're aware we have to keep it up and he's being doing extra training and his stuff with the lads. So I wouldn't imagine it'll be a problem."

The Gabon international, 31, has played for Lens and Rangers this season and needs permission from Fifa to join Fulham.

Manager Walter Smith said: "We thought we would get a decision this week but it seems they have asked for more time to consider all the details.

"Cousin will be travelling with us to Athens and we will have a look at things in terms of who will line up once we are over there and the players have been checked for any problems."