Manuel Pascali grabbed the only goal of the game to inflict a first league loss of the season on the Scottish champions and prevent them from claiming a 15th consecutive victory on the road.

Rangers had enjoyed a 12-point lead over their Old Firm rivals heading into last weekend's action but a goalless draw against St Johnstone and the 1-0 reverse against Kilmarnock - combined with three wins for Celtic - means the Hoops have closed the gap dramatically.

McCoist said: "I don't see it affecting the confidence of the players to be honest with you. We've lost our first league game today and it's disappointing.

"We'll have a look at the reasons for it. There certainly won't be any panicking.

"We were disappointing against St Johnstone as well and today was the same. We will look at what we can do better.

"Contrary to what a lot of people maybe thought, I didn't think we had won the title last week.

"I didn't see us losing the game down here today, that wasn't in the plan.

"We were 12 points clear but we knew there would be twists and turns to come in the championship. Nothing is handed out in November.

"It's down to four points and I would rather they were in our favour than against us but I won't lie to you, it is a little bit disappointing."

McCoist admits he could not argue with the outcome at Rugby Park - the same venue Rangers clinched their SPL crown on the final day of last season.

He said: "It's a sore one all right but maybe it's been coming to be honest with you. I thought Kilmarnock played very well and we didn't do nearly enough.

"We didn't play the game at anything like the tempo we should have, or need to, to get the three points.

"Although a draw might have been a fair result, I've certainly got no complaints."

Sone Aluko made his Rangers debut from the start despite no competitive action since his Aberdeen contract expired in the summer.

McCoist said: "I thought he did fine. I thought he was one of the brighter players in our team today and he created one or two chances when he got the ball in the wider areas in one-to-one situations.

"For a debut he did absolutely fine and there will be more to come from him."

A further concern for the Rangers boss was the sight of Kyle Lafferty being forced out of the action with a back spasm and McCoist hopes to know more about the extent of the injury tomorrow.

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels believes a strong mentality heading into the game allowed them to end their lengthy wait for a victory over Rangers in Ayrshire.

He said: "It's been such a long haul for Kilmarnock to beat Rangers here.

"We looked at the psychological side, a lot of our efforts were put into that.

"We did a little bit on tactics but we spent more time on the mental energy and the players responded."

He added: "I'm really pleased for the people in the town who have stuck by Kilmarnock.

"I still can't come to terms with the fact that people who live in Kilmarnock support the Old Firm.

"I'm still trying to get my head around that but it makes it more satisfying that we have done it for the supporters who have waited 17 years for that result.

"Sometimes destiny has a part to play and it was our day to be fair."