McCoist: We won't change our defensive tactics

May 4 2008

ALLY McCoist insists Rangers will not change their tactic of playing with a lone-striker and 10 men behind the ball for the UEFA Cup Final.

Walter Smith's side have been heavily criticised for the brand of football they have served up in Europe this season.

Former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino is the latest to lay into them after he took in the penalty shoot-out win against Fiorentina and labelled Gers 'hard work to watch'.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli reckon Gers play 'anti-football' but McCoist is not concerned about what others have to say.

And he has no plans to change the defensive tactics for the final against Zenit St Petersburg next week.

McCoist knows they won't win friends as a global audience views the game but he feels it is the only way Rangers can win.

He said: "People are critical and that goes with the territory.

"But anyone with intelligence would look deeper into the situation and what the players are doing is playing to the very maximum of their strengths.

"You've seen what happens when we try to change the gameplan in any shape or form. We opened up in Stuttgart, lost three goals and lost the game.

"We are difficult to beat and capable of nicking a goal. When opposition players criticise I look upon it as a compliment. I fully appreciate it is not being handed out as one but we're doing something right.

"We went over there (Italy) to a country that are the best in the world at defending and beat them at their own game. When they do it, it's fantastic. When we do it, it's anti-football.

"Sure, we would have to change if Zenit scored but I feel it's important we score first.

"There's no way we'll go into this game, especially against the quality of Zenit, with anything other than a defensive set-up.

"They ripped Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen apart and have boys with lightening pace.

"They like to sit back, get hit then batter you on the break. We won't give them that worry."