'Eternal optimist' Ally McCoist has admitted he has just about given up hope on a Rangers league triumph this season.

The Ibrox side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park at the weekend as Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table to six points.

The result leaves Rangers chasing the six-point deficit with just two games left and Celtic holding a superior goal difference.

All of those factors have left McCoist ready to give up on Rangers' Scottish Premiership title chances this term as he joked his former club are "so off it" they need a favour from Ange Postecoglou.

The pundit kidded that a Spurs win over Man City - which Arsenal are relying on in their title hopes in the Premier League - would be the first step for Rangers in an unlikely title turnaround.

On talkSPORT, the pundit admitted: "Mate, we are so far off it, we need Spurs to beat Man City to have a chance for Rangers to win the league.

"I am afraid the eternal optimist has just about given up hope."

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He added: "It's not been a good weekend, at all, particularly for John Lundstram, an own goal and a red card.

"He has probably had a worse weekend than most."

While McCoist admits Celtic deserve to lift the league title, he branded both Glasgow rivals as average but insisted his less-than-impressed verdict on Celtic was "not sour grapes".

He explained: "Celtic will go on to win the league and they deserve to because they have got the most points.

"I think both sides of the Old Firm...I don't think they're great this year, I really don't. I think Celtic are better but I don't think they are anything like they have been in recent years.

"I think Rangers recent form has been shocking frankly. 

"The title will go to Celtic and do they deserve it, yes of course they do. It's not sour grapes, I've said it for weeks I think both sides are average."