ALLY MCCOIST believes that both Rangers and St. Mirren deserve another shot at progressing to the quarter-final stage of the Scottish Cup.

The assistant boss praised St. Mirren for their performance after the goalless draw at St. Mirren Park but believes the tie could have went either way.

The teams will now face each other again on Wednesday, February 17 at Ibrox and McCoist believes a replay was a fair outcome.

He said: "I think that both teams deserve another crack it.

"I thought St. Mirren played very well today and that didn't surprise us.

"We watched them midweek against Hearts and they were very good and thoroughly deserved to go through.

"The effort they put in was top class and again I thought Hugh Murray and their two lads up front played well today.

"But from our point of view we have to take the positives, we managed to keep a clean sheet and we are still in the cup.

"We also had our two top goalscorers back on the pitch along with Madjid and that's very important."

Rangers were unable to create many clear cut chances and Ally feels that one goal for either team would have won it.

He added: "It was a tight game and when our chances came along we had to take them.

"I just felt that the longer the game went on it was going to become a real struggle.

"I thought the first goal might win it and I was praying it was going to be us that got it.

"It wasn't to be but we just have to be happy that we are still in the cup.

"With Davie out we put Madjid alongside Danny and that was another plus.

"I thought they did well to keep a clean sheet. We also had Smithy playing at left back and he got stronger as the game went on.

"So there was definitely positives to take from the game for us but hopefully we can have a better outcome back at Ibrox in a couple of weeks."