Steven Davis has backed Rangers to demonstrate the character needed to bounce back from their surprise defeat against St Mirren at the weekend.

Walter Smith’s side squandered the opportunity to overtake Celtic at the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Love Street on Sunday.

Davis admitted a reverse before the international break was the last thing Rangers wanted. But the midfield player insists the two-week break will succeed only in whetting the appetite even further for the visit of Dundee United when domestic football resumes on Saturday week.

“We have a lot of strength and a lot of characters in the squad and no doubt we will pick ourselves up and get back on track,” said Davis. “Now we have a two-week break and hopefully that will give the lads a lot of hunger once we face Dundee United at home.”

A superb strike from Stephen McGinn was enough to subject Rangers to their first league defeat of the season. And Davis admits there was no need for Smith to hand out a rollicking afterwards, insisting every single player was well aware they were simply not good enough.

“The boys knew it themselves and they don’t have to hear it from anyone else,” the Northern Ireland player said. “Everybody is disappointed. The manager made a few points but we know ourselves that’s not good enough and we have to get back on track against Dundee United.”

John Hughes, the Falkirk manager, has urged his players to show “passion and pride” to prevent the soft goals that continued to undermine their season at Motherwell on Sunday.

Falkirk slumped to second bottom in the Premier League following their 3-2 defeat at Fir Park. Hughes was happy with his side’s approach and work-rate but frustrated by the goals they conceded.

Hughes feels every goal they have conceded this season has been “avoidable” and wants all his players to show the strength of character to put that right.

“You can coach it and you can work on it, but it’s about standing up and being a leader,” Hughes said. “I honestly think it’s about what’s in you.

“You can be the most talented footballer but you must really say, ’I’m not getting beat today’. That’s a wonderful thing.

“Darren Barr has got it in abundance. And I keep saying that to Darren: ‘You have got something that most of the boys in your team have not got. You wear your heart on your sleeve, your heart is that size, you will put your head in where it hurts. Just make sure you know what those strengths are and play to them’.

“Darren Barr doesn’t know how good he can become. He leads by example and that’s why he is my captain. He is a wonderful captain.”

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, the Celtic striker, has pulled out of the squad for Holland’s World Cup qualifying games against Iceland and Norway. Vennegoor of Hesselink picked up a groin injury during the Premier League match against Hamilton Academical on Saturday and has since told Bert van Marwijk, the Holland coach, that he is unable to feature in the group nine matches.