ALLY McCoist last night declared the ongoing mystery over his refusal to commit to showing up for tomorrow's potentially-stormy Rangers agm to be no big deal.

The manager was expected to make a statement about his attendance at the shareholders' gathering at Ibrox after yesterday's 2-0 league win at home to Livingston, but he insists he has not yet been informed of his obligations and will have to stage last-minute talks with the board.

McCoist was present to answer questions at last year's meeting, the only one to have taken place during his three-and-a-half years in charge, but remains unsure whether he is required to attend despite working the 12-month notice period on his contract, his team languishing nine points behind Hearts in the SPFL Championship having played a game more and out of the Petrofac Training Cup.

The board are sure to come under fire from a disillusioned fanbase, with demands made for information on the increasing influence of Mike Ashley, the owner of Newcastle United and the Sports Direct chain, on the running of the club. McCoist, however, claims he still cannot say whether he will be there to account for the failings of the footballing department.

"I will speak to the board in the next 24 hours and see if I am required to go or if they want me to go," he said. "I am not sure I am required to go. If anyone wants me there, I will be there, but I don't see it as a massive deal."

An early effort from Fraser Aird and an own goal by Simon Mensing in the second half earned Rangers a victory in front of an Ibrox crowd that looked much smaller than the 28,053 figure officially given.

Two weeks ago, club chairman, David Somers, was forced to admit that the 28,137 attendance given for a home league win over Cowdenbeath was inaccurate as it included season ticket holders who had failed to turn up. He admitted it was closer to 19,000.

McCoist admits he can understand why supporters have turned their backs on the club.

"I have felt unbelievably sorry for the fans over the last three years," he said. "I am not sure attendances are a worry. Obviously, when we are playing at home, I would far rather the team was being supported by 50,000 rather than 15,000, 20,000 or 25,000.

"However, I do understand, 100%, the vast majority of fans' feelings over the last three years." McCoist was asked whether the Livingston game might prove to be his last as manager, but appeared surprised to have the matter raised. He replied: "I haven't heard that from anybody."

Instead, he revealed he is attending reserve matches in England - including those of Ashley's Newcastle United - with his management team as he searches for fresh talent to bring in during the January window.

He added: "We are going to games and not just Newcastle games. We are watching Stoke City's boys and Blackburn's reserves. We hope we will have enough information to act if we are allowed to."

McCoist was pleased with the overall display of his players against Livingston, but reported himself unhappy with their inability to kill the match off.

"We should be scoring more goals from the chances that we are creating," he stated.

Meanwhile, Mark Burchill confessed to mixed feelings after his first match as caretaker-manager at Livingston.

"When you create that number of opportunities at Ibrox, you just hope you can take one," he said. "I felt we were on top before Rangers scored their second. They had the luck on the day, but, I believe, with that determination and bravery, we will stay in this league."