Ally McCoist Relishes Rangers’ Tough Premier Sports Cup Draw Against Celtic: “Aye, Bring It On”
Rangers legend Ally McCoist has delivered a characteristically bold and upbeat reaction to the club’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final draw against Celtic. While many supporters viewed the pairing as far from ideal given the team’s difficult start to the season, McCoist has made it clear he sees the clash as an opportunity rather than a burden.
The former Rangers striker and current pundit spoke on TalkSport with a defiant message that will resonate with those who believe the Old Firm rivalry should always be embraced, no matter the circumstances.
Rangers head into the tie after a stuttering opening to the campaign under new manager Derek McInnes. The side failed to win either of their first two league matches and suffered a disappointing exit from the Europa League qualifiers. It was far from the start McInnes would have hoped for as he began his tenure at Ibrox.
That early pressure eased slightly with a convincing 5-1 victory over St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup. The result provided a much-needed boost and secured progress into the last eight. However, the reward for that win is a high-stakes quarter-final meeting with Celtic, who have made a perfect start to their own season by winning all three of their opening fixtures.
For many Rangers fans, drawing their biggest rivals at this stage feels far from ideal. The team is still searching for consistency and rhythm after a rocky beginning. Facing a confident Celtic side so early in the competition only adds to the sense of challenge.
McCoist, though, is having none of the pessimism. His response has been clear, positive, and typically combative.
Speaking on TalkSport, the Rangers icon said: “It’s not the tie you least wanted, because the tie you least wanted was Celtic vs Rangers. Aye, bring it on.”
He went further, framing the draw as a chance rather than a problem. “You have to look at it as an opportunity. 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.”
McCoist’s words capture the mindset of someone who has lived and breathed the Old Firm rivalry throughout his career. As a player he thrived in these high-pressure encounters, and his comments reflect a belief that big games can be the making of a side rather than its undoing.
The injury situation McCoist referenced has clearly been a major factor in Rangers’ early struggles. Striker Youssef Chermiti is set to miss the entire season after rupturing his ACL, a significant blow to the attacking options available to McInnes. Meanwhile, defender Tuur Rommens has picked up a groin injury that will keep him sidelined for at least a few weeks.
These absences have disrupted the squad at a critical time. Building momentum is difficult when key players are unavailable, and McCoist was careful to acknowledge that reality while still urging a positive approach.
Celtic, by contrast, currently have no major injury concerns hanging over them. Their strong start has given them confidence and stability as they prepare for the September 12 showdown. That date is still almost a month away, however, and a lot can change in football in that space of time.
Form can shift, players can return from injury, and new issues can arise. McCoist’s message appears to be that Rangers should not dwell on the present difficulties but instead focus on seizing the chance to take on their greatest rivals.
The Old Firm fixture always carries enormous weight, regardless of the competition. League meetings, cup ties, and even friendly encounters tend to generate intense scrutiny and emotion. A Premier Sports Cup quarter-final between the two Glasgow clubs is no different. It offers the chance for one side to gain a psychological edge and for the other to demonstrate resilience.
For Derek McInnes, the match represents both a challenge and a potential turning point. A positive result against Celtic would ease pressure and inject belief into the squad after a difficult opening month. A heavy defeat, on the other hand, could intensify questions about the direction of the team.
McCoist’s public backing of a “bring it on” attitude may help set a tone around the club in the weeks leading up to the game. Supporters who felt deflated by the draw might take encouragement from a club legend refusing to treat the fixture with fear.
There is also a broader context to consider. Rangers have a long history of rising to the occasion in big matches, even when form has been mixed. McCoist himself was part of sides that produced memorable performances against Celtic when the odds appeared stacked against them. His comments draw on that tradition of meeting the challenge head-on.
The timing of the tie adds another layer. With nearly a month to prepare, McInnes and his staff will have the chance to work on tactics, fitness, and squad cohesion. The 5-1 win over St Mirren showed that the team is capable of producing dominant performances when things click. The task now is to build on that result and carry improved standards into the Old Firm clash.
Celtic will arrive as favourites given their perfect record so far and Rangers’ early inconsistencies. Yet cup football often throws up surprises, and the intensity of a Glasgow derby can level the playing field in ways that league form does not always predict.
McCoist’s insistence that the draw should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a setback is likely to spark debate among fans. Some will agree that facing Celtic is simply part of the reality of competing at the top in Scotland. Others may feel the timing is particularly awkward given the injuries and the need for the team to find its feet.
What is clear is that the former striker has chosen optimism and defiance over caution. His TalkSport comments leave little room for ambiguity. He wants Rangers to approach the game with belief and aggression, treating it as a chance to make a statement.
As the countdown to September 12 begins, both sets of supporters will be counting the days. For Rangers, the focus will be on improving performances, managing the injury list, and preparing thoroughly for one of the biggest games of the season so far. For Celtic, the priority will be maintaining their strong start and continuing the momentum they have already built.
Ally McCoist has set out his stall. He does not see the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final as the worst possible outcome. In his view, the worst outcome would have been avoiding the rivalry altogether. Instead, he wants the players to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Whether that mindset spreads through the dressing room and the stands remains to be seen. What cannot be disputed is that the stage is set for another chapter in one of football’s most intense rivalries, and one of Rangers’ greatest ever players is already looking forward to it.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Rangers can turn McCoist’s fighting talk into a performance worthy of the occasion. For now, the message from the club legend is simple and unmistakable: bring it on.