Warburton: Waghorn and Tavernier are committed to Rangers

Mark Warburton insists Martyn Waghorn and James Tavernier are committed to Rangers as he showed his own allegiance to the club by extending his Ibrox contract.

The manager and his assistant, David Weir, have signed what the club called "significantly improved'' contracts and added a year on to their deals, which now tie them to Ibrox until 2019.

Waghorn and Tavernier are also in talks about extending their contracts and Warburton hit out over reports that they had rejected new deals.

On his own future, Warburton told the club's official website: "I am delighted, I feel very privileged to be manager of a club of such stature and David and I realise that so we are thrilled to prolong it.

"We started the work last season, the foundational work and we see it as a long-term project.

"We know where Rangers need to be and we think we know how we get there so it's great to be given that opportunity.

"It is important to show commitment otherwise you can't talk to your players about commitment, but it is about timing.

"This has given us the security aspect on both sides, knowing that you are there to try and carry out your plans.''

Speaking earlier to the media, Warburton revealed that talks with former Wigan pair Waghorn and Tavernier would continue.

"They have two years left to run,'' he said.

"I had two years left to run. The nature of the game now, everyone is looking to extend.

"But they are in a good place. We know the value they give us as a club in terms of their playing capabilities, and they know the value that the club gives them in terms of a showcase for their talents. It's a great combination and both sides will always talk, and all other players will talk as well.

"There are ongoing talks with all players about where we are. New players come in, the squad changes, and you have to maintain an honest and consistent relationship with the players. They like the honesty. It's a black-and-white business. They are two top professionals and all negotiations continue.''

Warburton was upset that fans might view the players as greedy in light of reports which claimed they had rejected deals. The pair became favourites with the Rangers support during their debut season in Scotland and Warburton is keen for those relationships to continue.

"Those type of reports come out, they are inaccurate and it causes players who performed so well last season to receive unnecessary negative press,'' he said.

"Between the pair of them, 43 goals.

"They are committed totally to the club, they love being in Glasgow. Their children are in school. They couldn't do any more. They are two great characters on and off the field. They have added value on and off the field.

"So for me it's disappointing that two players of that calibre should receive anything negative in any shape or form.

"If you read any story inappropriately or incorrectly, you could turn round and say there's two players being greedy, demanding more money and not happy to play for a club of Rangers' stature.

"You couldn't be further from the truth. They are two guys who are committed to what they do. They want to get better, they are high-quality young professionals who aspire to be the best they can be every single day.

"Watching Tav and Waggy work every day, I know how focused they are. So to receive this type of negative press is unjust.''