Mark Warburton not concerned by delays over contract talks

Mark Warburton joked he prioritised saving his marriage rather than extending his Rangers contract as he insisted delays in talks with the Ibrox board were purely down to his holidays.

Reports claimed talks had stalled but the Rangers boss expects them to progress soon.

The former City trader, who has two years left on his current deal, said: "I read all the speculation. Simply, we opened the discussion and then I had to have some family time.

"I had 10 days overseas, three days at home, seven days at St George's Park and then back here.

"So apart from being very close to divorce, it was just some family time.

"The board and the owner, you see how busy they are being with club business and taking the club forward.

"It's nothing more than two parties being very busy, but I'm sure in the coming days we'll sit down and carry on."

The 53-year-old dismissed any suggestions the pressure of managing in Glasgow had made him consider his long-term future.

"It was an enjoyable season," he said. "If you can't enjoy winning a championship, winning the Challenge Cup, getting to a final, having a semi-final against Celtic, if you can't enjoy that, don't be in the business.

"I heard it in the City about burnout. Nonsense. Enjoy it. I'm in a very privileged position, it's a great opportunity, a fantastic club.

"Of course there's pressure but you just have to enjoy it and recognise it's part and parcel."

The former Brentford manager's debut season almost proved perfect until a late collapse in the William Hill Scottish Cup final, followed by pitch invasions and fan violence which embroiled some of his players.

But Warburton did not want to dwell on the chaotic scenes in his first media conference since before the final.

"Obviously there is a police investigation going on so it's not for me to comment on anything other than to say as a team we were disappointed not to finish the season on a winning note," said Warburton, who was promoting the new Ladbrokes Premiership season at the Kelpies in Falkirk.

"We were 10 minutes away from what would have been a great end but we didn't do it.

"Congratulations to Hibs, they won the trophy, but other than that there is no real comment."

One ramification from the Hampden clash has seen Warburton admit he needs to add to his squad after being unable to fill his bench.

"We looked at last season and probably lacked a bit of experience, maturity and ruggedness, and I think in Joey Barton and Clint Hill we have got that," he said.

"But I like young, hungry players with good development potential and in Jordan Rossiter, Matt Crooks and Josh (Windass) we have got that. The balance is good.

"We need three or four more and we are very close to two or three, which I hope will get done in the next few days, and then maybe one more later in the window."

Warburton refused to discuss former Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who is due in Glasgow for a medical on Wednesday, but he did reveal a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker were on his shopping list.

"We need cover," he said. "We went through last season with two full-backs. Lee Wallace and James Tav (Tavernier) played nearly every minute of every game. So all credit to them and the support staff.

"But we were exposed. People said I was making a statement in the final, but I wasn't. That was all we had available because of the players we put out on loan couldn't figure.

"We have to have a bit more depth and quality, but make sure they are people who buy into what we are trying to do and recognise the responsibility of playing for Rangers.

"We need cover in key areas, we need more cover up front and in midfield.

"The games will be more physical, the demands and intensity will be higher. We recognise there are some very good teams in the division."

A goalkeeper will come in to cover Wes Foderingham with Cammy Bell on the verge of a move to Dundee United.

"Negotiations are ongoing," he said. "Cammy is a top-quality international player and he wants to play games."