15-minute slump cost us dear, says Rangers boss Mark Warburton

MARK WARBURTON believes Rangers handed Celtic victory in the Old Firm game with a 15-minute slump.

The Ibrox men took the lead through Kenny Miller and just about shaded the first-half action despite Moussa Dembele hitting an equaliser.

But the Englishman’s team were overpowered for a spell when the Champions came out flying after the break.

Warburton said: “I thought we were poor in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

“Celtic had chances and dominated possession. They were very good but we were poor in keeping the ball.

“The 15 minutes after half-time is the learning bit for us. We have to be better than that.

“We were on the front foot from the start and got the early goal, which is always pleasing.

“We should also have had a second and, although we were disappointed to concede a soft goal, we were happy at half-time.”

The teams served up a pulsating 90 minutes for the sell-out crowd at Ibrox, a game that even the defeated manager couldn’t help but praise.

He went on: “I thought it was a good game of football and a good advert for the Scottish game.

“But we’ve lost and we’re never going to be happy about that.

“We were loose at their first goal. A simple run round the back and there’s no real block. We’ve got to deal with it better but we’ll get there.”

Barrie McKay left the stadium defeated but with the praise of his manager ringing in his ears.

Warburton added: “Individually, I though Barrie McKay was outstanding.

“Celtic have very good individuals and Sinclair was always dangerous but Barrie is equally as good. So we’re making progress.”

Warburton must now wait for a surgeon’s report on the shoulder injury sustained by Joe Garner.

The Englishman was stretchered off after being hurt during the move that led to Ranger’s opening goal.

He was taken to hospital during the match and will be assessed again at the start of the week.