Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Ally McCoist for his work at Rangers.

Ferguson has marvelled at how McCoist has emerged from the trauma of the club's liquidation, and the loss of a team of star players, to build a side which now sits 12 points clear at the top of the Third Division, ahead of today's trip to Hampden to face Queen's Park.

"I think the job that Ally McCoist has done at Rangers is fantastic," said Ferguson.

"What bigger examination could a Rangers manager ever get than being demoted to the Third Division, losing all his players - and then still being top of the league.

"Ally has done a fantastic job, but he won't get the credit he deserves because if Rangers are not in European football, then they are not Rangers."