ALLY McCOIST insists Rangers need to sell a big name star this month isn't a signal that they've raised a white flag in the SPL title battle.

An Ibrox cash-crisis prompted chairman Sir David Murray to accept a £3.8million offer from Birmingham City for 22-goal marksman Kris Boyd earlier this month.

That deal has stalled for now - but Gers fans are bracing themselves for a star departure before the transfer window slams shut in 12 days time.

Should a sale go through, Walter Smith's hand will be weakened as he attempts to take the title away from Parkhead and stop four-in-a-row. But McCoist said: "From where I'm sitting, I think Celtic are very well-equipped to handle the run-in. But we are certainly very well-equipped to handle the run-in.

"We know what's required and we have a squad of players who want to do well and who want to win the championship.

"Although we've said we would like to sell a player to balance the books, I would plead with you not to look on that as any sign of weakness at all in our bid to become champions this year. I can guarantee Celtic won't look on it as a weakness."

And the Gers legend has again appealed to supporters to understand the reasons behind the need to sell one of their players after certain fans' groups launched a stinging attack on Murray last week.

McCoist added: "I can totally understand where the fans are coming from because the vast majority aren't interested in books or accounts.

"Speaking as a fan myself, I want to see the best team on the park winning games of football.

"But, in this climate, they have to sit back and have a look and realise it's tough everywhere.

"Sadly, I think it will get slightly worse for everyone - not just in football - before it gets better."

McCoist says he is not taken aback that Rangers find themselves in a position to move top of the SPL this weekend - just that they caught rivals Celtic so quickly.

Defeat at Ibrox in last month's Old Firm game left Rangers trailing their bitter rivals by seven points and their title hopes written off in some quarters.

But if Rangers beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie this Saturday, they will go top before Celtic play host to Hibs later in the day.

"To be honest, it's not a surprise," said McCoist, "I don't think there is a lot between the Old Firm and, on their day, the rest of the teams in the SPL who are capable of taking something from the Old Firm.

"The fact that we do have an opportunity to go top of the league doesn't really surprise me. It maybe surprises me that it has come so soon after the Old Firm game. But there isn't a lot between the teams."