Foster Warned Over Fan Conflict

Published 22nd Oct 2014

Rangers boss Ally McCoist has warned Richard Foster he will be fighting a losing battle if he mouths off at his own fans again. The full-back was singled out for some heavy stick from sections of the Light Blues support as their side comfortably beat East Fife 2-0 to claim a Petrofac Training Cup semi-final slot. But the frustrated former Aberdeen defender let rip with his own four-letter expletive in reply during a break in play midway through the second half. That sparked another angry outburst from the away support at New Bay View, leaving McCoist to tell Foster there will only be one winner if he continues to take on the fans. He said: "You will never win that battle with the fans, but the irony is not lost on me that when they get a bit of stick back the toys come right out the pram. "Coming from someone who has had more than his fair share of stick from football fans when I played, I can tell you that you will never win that war. "These things happen. I didn't see the incident but I will have a wee word if it is needed - although I wouldn't have thought so." Jon Daly struck two late goals in the 6-1 thrashing of Raith on Saturday and grabbed another to open the scoring against Gary Naysmith's side. The Irishman - still looking for sharpness after a summer knee operation - appeared to be offside as he tapped home Ian Black's errant shot across the box after 29 minutes but the goal was allowed to stand. Black then added a second 12 minutes after the break when East Fife keeper Allan Fleming made a mess of keeping out the midfielder's 20-yard free-kick. But McCoist was disappointed his team did not score more as they booked a last-four clash with Alloa, likely to be scheduled for some time in December. "I'm delighted for big Jon," he said. "He's looking more like himself. His fitness is good after the operation. "He got 25 goals for us last year and that's him now got three in a game and a half. "But it wouldn't be me if I didn't have a moan. I obviously want us to score more goals and I did say that to the lads. It was an opportunity for strikers and midfielders to get on the core sheet. "So I'd probably like to see a little more selfishness and desire to score goals." East Fife boss Naysmith said: "I couldn't see if Daly was offside for the first goal but I think the goalie should do better for the second and I have said that to him. "I'm not sure if 2-0 was a fair result but I think we made Rangers work for it, even if they were never uncomfortable."