Defiant Celtic hero Chris Sutton has shut down calls for Leon Balogun to return to Rangers following the Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven.
With James Sands standing in for the injured John Souttar and Ben Davies missing out, McCoist admitted during the post-match debrief he'd like to see Nigeria international Balogun brought back to the club to help deal with set-pieces. However, Rangers found a surprise cheerleader in Sutton who insisted the Ibrox fans and McCoist should back the decision of Gio van Bronckhorst.
Sutton also stuck up for Connor Goldson when speaking on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, after fingers were pointed at the centre-back for the second goal scored by the Eredivise side. He said: "Is there a concern over Rangers? Yes, but I think they can still go over there and get a result I think Ally spoke about it after the game about maybe bringing Balogun back.
"I don't necessarily think that is the answer. If Van Bronckhorst didn't want Balogun you can't criticise him for not signing him on again. It's a Champions League qualifier, these games are never going to be easy."
When pushed by host Darrell Currie on if he could bring him back, Sutton went on: "Do you think he made a mistake? I'm not so sure he did. I think it's easy to sit and criticise when Rangers don't win and strip everything back. Balogun was a big guy and attacked the ball well, but Rangers fans have to trust Giovanni van Bronckhorst."
McCoist chimed in: "I'm really concerned about the lack of physicality in that team. The first one bounces up and hits Goldson, these things can happen. But the second one there is a little bit of concern, Goldson got caught underneath it."
Sutton piped up again, adding: "But that's Goldson Ally, that's not Balogun. Goldson makes a mistake and we are calling for better recruitment at Rangers after a tough tie against PSV. Don't you have to have a bit more faith than this?"
Currie looked to move the debate on: "To be fair to Goldson who has maybe not had the best start to the season either -"
Before Sutton cut in: "Hang on a minute. You are suggesting Goldson has had a poor start to the season? One draw and the knives are out. I think you've gone a little bit early. These are tough games. I do take Ally's point about set plays but they can still go over to the Netherlands and qualify."
McCoist rounded off: "The tie is absolutely wide open. You again, Chris this is become a mutual admiration society which concerns me a lot. But the tie is completely wide open. I do have PSV as slight favourites, however, Rangers are more than capable of going over to Eindhovern and getting a result."
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