Warburton: Defeat won't change Rangers' approach

Boss Mark Warburton insists no "major surgery'' is needed at Rangers following the loss of their 100 per cent record against St Johnstone.

There was added interest in the Scottish League Cup third-round tie at Ibrox on Tuesday night after the Light Blues had won their first 11 games under the Englishman since he took over in the summer to help them sit atop the Championship.

The home side found themselves 3-0 down early in the second half and although right-back James Tavernier pulled a goal back the visitors saw out the rest of the game to clinch a quarter-final place.

Ahead of the trip to Morton on Sunday, the former Brentford boss claimed to be "amazed'' at some of the comments made in the wake of the defeat as he stood by his squad and expansive playing style.

Warburton said: "On Tuesday we made two or three mistakes and got punished, simple as that.

"I keep reading it could have been five or six at half-time. I am watching a different game to that.

"They should have scored a third before half-time, absolutely, but they had six shots and I believe we had 64 per cent possession.

"What do we do, do we change the whole way we play because of one result?

"I am amazed at some of the comments I read about changing it after we won 11 out 11.

"We played some good stuff earlier in the season, why would we possibly change everything?

"I have no doubts about the quality of the team. Had we not conceded that goal just after half-time, I would have fancied us.

"We got to 3-1, missed a header and who knows? That is the beauty of the game.

"But I don't think there is major surgery required in our squad.''

Warburton also dismissed that the game in Greenock gives his side the chance to restore any lost confidence.

He said: "The fact is we are top of the league and in good shape. Won every game in the league, home and away.

"So to suggest that a win on Sunday would restore some confidence - I don't think there is a lack of confidence or belief.

"There is an anger and frustration that we lost a game of football that we feel we were more than good enough to have won.

"All credit to St Johnstone but there is no lack of self-belief.

"We were frustrated at losing, angry. It spoils your day off, that's for sure but the anger is channelled towards the performance at the weekend.''

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