‘Rangers’ approach won’t change’

Mark Warburton is adamant nothing has altered for Rangers despite Hibs’ defeat to Morton

Mark Warburton says Hibernian’s surprise defeat to Morton does not change Rangers’ approach to their Scottish Championship title bid.

The 3-0 result at Easter Road on Wednesday means Warburton’s side remain eight points ahead of the chasing pack with just 11 games to play.

Second-placed Hibs had been expected to win against Morton and close the gap to five points, with their failure to do so instead giving the Ibrox team more breathing space.

In theory, Rangers could now lose both of their remaining two games against the Edinburgh side and third-placed Falkirk but still claim the title as long as they keep winning elsewhere.

Eight victories and a draw will be enough to secure the trophy and promotion to the Premiership, although Rangers also have a much better goal difference should that become a factor.

Morton’s players celebrate after a result which gives Rangers extra breathing space at the top of the Championship

Bookmakers have cut their odds further and with six home games left on their league schedule – including each of the next three at home – Warburton’s team are the overwhelming favourites.

Nevertheless, the former Brentford manager does not take anything for granted and maintains his players must stay focused.

He said: “It’s got to be about us, still. That result doesn’t change anything for Rangers. We’ve got to train well this week and we’ve got to prepare well for St Mirren.

“There’s a number of teams chasing the last play-off spot. It’s tight and those teams – as we saw last weekend – will give it a go. They’ll give it a real go.

Warburton’s side need only eight wins and a draw from their last 11 league games and have six of those at home

“We have to respect that, prepare well, respect them and deliver a performance. Last night doesn’t change our approach or our attitude.

“It’s about Rangers going into a game and delivering a level we need to deliver to get three points. There’s still 11 games to go.

“There’s still a lot of points to play for. We’ve got difficult matches to play home and away to play and all we can focus on is our next game, one at a time. That won’t change.”

Warburton, meanwhile, has accused Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila of being disrespectful to him for calling his opinions on artificial pitches old fashioned.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton blamed Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch for the knee injury suffered by Martyn Waghorn

Rangers could be without their leading scorer Martyn Waghorn after he was injured playing on Kilmarnock’s 3G surface at Rugby Park last week.

As a result, Warburton said he feels senior players should only play on grass and Deila was then quoted as saying that was a very old-fashioned stance.

He also said: “My view is that a very good grass pitch is number one and then a very good artificial pitch is number two.”

Warburton replied: “If Ronny did say that – if he did say that – I think that is disrespectful because you are entitled to your opinion.

Celtic boss Ronny Deila has been quoted as saying Warburton’s views on 3G pitches are old fashioned

“The one line from that interview that jumps out for me was ‘number one is a good grass pitch, number two is a good artificial pitch’.

“If you are happy to accept second best, go for the artificial pitch. If you want to set the highest standards, go for the best quality grass pitch. That for me was the one sentence that summed it up.”