Ally McCoist has disputed Philippe Clement's explanation that Connor Goldson was rested in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Ibrox hero instead reckons Goldson was dropped after struggling in recent weeks.

Rangers manager Clement had suggested Goldson was dropped to the bench - with Leon Balogun starting at Hampden - due to tiredness.

The Belgian boss explained he had planned to rest Goldson against Dundee but Balogun battling a sickness bug forced a rethink.

But, McCoist threw out Clement's explanation as he insisted, 'You don't rest people for semi-finals'.

On co-commentary on Premier Sports, McCoist said: "I think you are being very kind saying he [Goldson]  was rested - I think he was dropped."

READ MORE: Philippe Clement update on John Lundstram's Rangers future

Commentator Rory Hamilton stated that he was simply using the official line from Rangers on the matter, but McCoist responded: You're right, that is what was said.

"[But] You don't rest people for semi-finals."

Clement said of the decision to start Balogun with Goldson on the bench: "Connor played a lot of games the last couple of months, a lot of minutes, did a lot of really good things, that's why we were the best defence in the league. But he was also lacking some freshness.

"I had this plan on Wednesday but Leon became sick at the last minute so it's more to gain freshness again. That was the plan but it wasn't possible because Leon was sick.

"It's the number of matches, it's not one player in the world who plays all this time at the same level, it's normal when you play a lot of games that at one moment you can be a little bit more tired."