McCall Sees Reasons To Be Cheerful

Pic: Jeff Holmes

Rangers manager Stuart McCall insists he saw reasons for optimism in their 2-2 draw with Alloa. McCall was denied his first win as Gers boss by a late equaliser from Liam Buchanan after his side had earlier fallen behind to Ben Gordon's header at Ibrox. Rangers have now won just once in nine games and have drawn five consecutive Scottish Championship matches, including against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday in McCall's debut in charge, and now travel to second-placed Hibernian on Sunday. Hibs have scored nine goals in three league wins over Rangers this season but McCall was heartened by their late comeback, which saw Nicky Clark score twice in five minutes, before Buchanan got in behind with eight minutes left. The former Motherwell manager said of Ibrox: "At this moment in time it's not an easy place to play, probably one of the hardest places to play. The players know they have got themselves into that positions with the performances we have put in over the last three or four months. "But you look how tight the games have been against Alloa this season - that's three draws and a win each - it was never going to be a three or four nil. "Even coming in 0-0 at half-time, there were still things to build on, but the galling thing was the first time they put a ball in the box, the big boy puts his head on it. "We must have put in 15-20 corners and free-kicks and they were the ones that were putting their head on it and defending. "But the players showed a lot of spirit and ability to get back in the game. We should be in that dressing room saying 'lots to build on but a good comeback' and they have scored with what might have been their second attack of the game. "Nobody will give us hope on Sunday going to Hibs but I saw a lot of performances that we can take a lot from. "Naturally, you look at the result, 2-2 at home to Alloa, second-bottom of the league, and I accept it's not good enough, but there is still a long way to go in this season and there will be no defeatist attitude from anyone in that dressing room." Alloa signed former Sunderland striker Michael Chopra before the game but he only came on in injury-time and caretaker manager Paddy Connolly would not say the signing gave his side a lift. Connolly said: "I think that would be a wee bit unfair on our guys to say they need somebody of that stature to give us a lift. Our guys have lifted themselves for every game and we have been unfortunate in a lot of games."