Mark Warburton: 'Rangers Will Always Push For More Goals'

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Mark Warburton insists Rangers will remain relentless after his side stretched their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship to five points with a 5-0 dismantling of Raith Rovers at Ibrox.

Skipper Lee Wallace's fourth-minute goal set the tone for a one-sided encounter, with fellow full-back James Tavernier adding a second before the break.

The Gers' ninth consecutive win in all competitions - and fifth in the league - was confirmed with further goals from Barrie McKay and Martyn Waghorn, who scored two penalties to take the club's goal tally to 19 in the league and five points clear of Falkirk, who have played a game less.

The Englishman, who turns 53 on Sunday, is the first Rangers manager to win his first nine games in charge, but he played down that feat, saying: It is not about the record, it is about the players and about the next game now.''

But asked about pressing for more goals when the points were comfortably secure - Waghorn missed two chances late on for a hat-trick - Warburton said: That's what we are about, we have to be positive. We are at our worst when we slow the ball down and don't be positive in possession.

So to the last minute of the game we will always be going for more goals.

We will never take the ball into the corner, ever, or put the ball into row X for the sake of it. We will never do that.

It is about being positive and showing good quality. It was a good all-round performance.''

The build-up to the match was dominated by a spat between the two clubs involving Gers youngster Ryan Hardie.

The Kirkcaldy club had questioned Rangers' right to recall the 18-year-old from Scotland Under-19 duty in Bulgaria and the Ibrox club claimed in response that they were baffled by Raith's complaint, given that Rovers had declined the opportunity to bring back Craig Wighton.

As expected, Hardie started on the bench but came on in the 70th minute for Nathan Oduwa, who thrilled the home fans with an impressive performance. Warburton said: We had 18 players today. We had a couple of impact injuries from previous weeks, so we were absolutely right to bring him back.

We acted in a totally professional manner and for anyone to say otherwise is highly disrespectful.''

Raith boss Ray McKinnon distanced himself from the situation, saying: I knew nothing about that until I saw it in the press.

I think any questions should be directed at Eric (Drysdale, Rovers' director). I am pretty sure he is up in that stand with a suit of armour on.

But it makes no difference to me, they have quality through the squad.''

Asked if the Light Blues could win every league game this season, McKinnon said: If they play like that they can. I don't think they will but if they put in performances like that there is no reason why they can't.

Their strength in depth is quite frightening. They are a proper outfit, they proved that today.

They are an exceptional team. It was a very tough game for us but we will not be judged this season against them.''