As transfer deadline day ends, and Rangers' registration embargo starts, the Light Blues have a squad that will need to last for two transfer windows.

Is it enough to win Division 3 and the Ramsdens Cup? The answer must be yes. Is it good enough for the League Cup or Scottish Cup? Maybe, but they would be far from favourites.

Last night as the cliche-ometer ensured the transfer window ‘slammed shut’, Rangers fans - and what seemed like the rest of Scottish football - stayed up well after midnight to see if Hearts winger David Templeton had managed to beat the deadline, and sign for Scotland’s biggest club.

Much to the dismay of many Scottish football watchers and scribblers he eventually signed a four-year contract at Auchenhowie.

Before he put pen to paper, though, it was heart-warming to see how many became concerned with Templeton’s international career - as they did with encouraging Ian Black on his Scotland debut - when they pleaded with him not to ruin it by going to Ibrox.

Such empathy is what makes Scottish football renowned for its generous spirit.

If you are an optimist, you will probably be happy at the quality of signings: Sandaza, Shiels, Black and Templeton are all top SPL players while Kyle, Faure, Argyriou, Cribari and Stella will give some depth to the squad.

That Rangers also kept Wallace, McCulloch and Alexander is huge and with the obvious quality of the younger players like Little, Hutton, McKay and Macleod then Rangers should coast Division 3.

However, if you are a pessimist you might see the loss of Carlos Bocanegra at the last minute on loan to Racing Santander as a huge blow to a decimated Rangers back line, already without Broadfoot and Goian.

With Emilson Cribari looking poor in his last two matches and with Sebastien Faure and Anestis Argyriou unknowns, Rangers have left themselves with a problem at centre-back.

Overall though the quality of squad is better than expected, but the quantity is thinner than is probably prudent.

Rangers should have signed another few Division 1 journeymen, just to ensure that, when suspension or injury problems arise, the squad can cope.

All being well, McCoist’s squad is good enough to win Division 3 with many weeks to spare, but probably lacks the strength to win one of the big two cups.

As much as a cup win would be good for morale and Rangers' bank balance, the important work is in the league.

This Sunday, Elgin City travel to Ibrox to play in front of another huge crowd of just under 50,000 with manager Ross Jack telling us that meeting Rangers in Division 3 is “totally surreal”. Especially when it’s City who come to Ibrox as the league leaders.

But with the impressive 3-0 demolition over the Bairns on Thursday, the Gers should have far too much for the Elgin men.

Although they are unbeaten in the league, they have been hammered when facing higher opposition in the cups, 0-2 to Falkirk and 5-7 (yes, that is the correct score) against Arbroath.

The Rangers manager will probably go with the same two-holding-midfielders tactic for Elgin that he used against Falkirk, even if it’s just to protect the weakened central defence.

Although Lee McCulloch was magnificent up-front on Thursday there should be no surprise if he lines up deep alongside Black (unless Sandaza is still out injured).

Such solidity will allow the attacking midfielders and forwards the opportunity to attack with movement and freedom, knowing they are not leaving too much space behind them.

Prediction - Rangers to take their Falkirk form into the league and put a few goals past Elgin for a 4-1 win. If Templeton gets a run out, expect him to score on his debut.

You can see Rangers vs Elgin City LIVE on ESPN from 4pm Sunday.

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