Alex McLeish insists Rangers WON'T suffer another dramatic title collapse this season.
The former Ibrox boss reckons Wednesday night's shock Betfred Cup exit will hurt without being a catastrophic blow.
Steven Gerrard 's side were upset 3-2 by St Mirren to miss out on another shot at a major trophy.
McLeish revealed he's been offering soothing words to fearful Rangers-supporting pals, after receiving some concerned texts over another dramatic implosion.
Rangers ' season fell to pieces after last season's winter break but the 61-year-old can't see that happening again.
He told the Go Radio Football Show : "I had a few texts from pals abroad who are Rangers supporters and I said: 'I don't see them stumbling the way they did the last couple of seasons'.
"Stevie has rotated a wee bit in the last few games but that's what happens, you can never tell.
"When all these guys are training well, yeah, you all know each other but when you change the team a wee bit sometimes you don't have the rhythm you had with the nucleus of the other guys.
"Stevie will be thinking about playing his strongest team in as many games as they can. They can't play every game, there's a big demand on the players nowadays with all the games they play, internationally as well.
"I don't see Rangers stumbling this time, but I think a few of us said that last year as well."
