McCoist blames indiscipline for Rangers' Champions League exit

McCoist says he will add to his squad after missing out on the Champions League

Rangers manager Ally McCoist says a lack of discipline cost his side a place in the Champions League following a 2-1 aggregate loss to Malmo.

Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were both dismissed during a 1-1 second-leg away draw.

"The two sendings-off cost us dearly," said McCoist.

"I haven't had a chance to look at the incidents but I think the fact that the lads gave the referee the opportunity to send them off was disappointing."

Rangers had travelled to Sweden trailing 1-0 and knowing the club had never overturned a first-leg deficit away from home in Europe.

Nikica Jelavic's goal levelled the tie in the 23rd minute, but an 80th-minute strike from Jiloan Hamad secured the win for Malmo, leaving Rangers to learn their fate in the Europa League qualification draw.

"I really am disappointed," added McCoist.

"The majority of our boys were fantastic, I really could not have asked for any more than they gave me.

"I think indiscipline cost us the tie."

With Malmo midway through the Swedish season, the Rangers boss believes his side's rustiness in the first leg on 26 July may have put the tie beyond their reach.

"I don't think we played particularly well in the first game. There may be legitimate reasons," added McCoist.

"Obviously the game coming early for us and Malmo being well into their season is a factor.

"You saw in this game that with another week gone that there is real progress."

Rangers now break from the SPL until 13 August as they play a friendly against Chelsea this weekend.

But McCoist promises they will regroup before their next league fixture against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"You've got no time at this club to feel sorry for yourself," he said.

"The highs and lows at this club are fantastic and there's a great divide between the two.

"If you're involved in this club and you're a Ranger then you handle both the same and you get on with it."

And McCoist says he will continue to be active in the transfer market as he looks to bolster his team before the 31 August deadline.

"We need to help the boys who are in the team," he said.

"They've given myself and the management team everything.

"What we need to give them is help, and by that I mean bodies."