Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha takes blame for Celtic thrashing and says there’ll be big changes to his squad

PEDRO CAIXINHA took the blame for Rangers’ thrashing by Celtic.

But in the same breath he admitted there is a huge gap between the Glasgow rivals – and that big changes will happen in his squad.

Now the Portuguese manager has to hope the Ibrox Board will come up with the cash required to recruit the players he needs.

Caixinha is a man toiling to get to grips with Scottish football and a struggling Rangers team.

In an effort to boost morale, he even claimed his men raised their game from last Sunday’s 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat.

He said: “We played well but I am to blame. I just have one thought. It is my total responsibility.

“The players tried to do their very best.

“They had a fantastic attitude and they raised their level. We need to make a lot of changes. We are very keen to reduce the difference.

“I believe we can bridge the gap that exists between us and Celtic.

“We need to do it and we need to be humble too. You need to recognise that the size of the gap that exists.

“It is not only because of one game that I’m going to change my ideas. Not this one, or the previous one.”

To date, there has been no sign of an improvement at Rangers under the new manager.

Indeed, they have actually become poorer in coping with games against their greatest rivals.

Caixinha, however, believes his players produced more passion yesterday. He went on: “They did it, totally.

“Maybe even the penalty comes from that situation – to look like you have passion but not know exactly where to place it in that exact moment.

“I wasn’t unhappy with Myles Beerman. It’s one decision from one young boy. I hope he learns from it.”

Caixinha waited for referee John Beaton at half-time and shook the official’s hand as he went down the tunnel.

It was a gesture straight from the methods of fellow countryman, Jose Mourinho.

Speaking about the incident, Caixinha said: “I just salute him.

“There will be a time where I speak about the referees. There will be a time where I speak about a lot of things.

“I’ve arrived here in Scotland and I’m assessing everything, not only my team.

“I need to know how to behave, regarding to all these situations.

“I’m here to defend Rangers and I will defend it, for real.”

The recruitment of new players will not be easy, as Rangers will not push ahead with building a scouting network until they appoint a Director of Football.

Caixinha said: “When I was interviewed for the job, one point of the presentation was a scouting department and the way I organise it.

“But it’s not one of the priorities for me right now compared to the work and assessing what I need to do – and the knowledge I need to get.

“We’re still trying to find a Director of Football and scouting will be more linked to him. We’re getting closer to appointing someone. People are being assessed.

“That’s not within my range but the club are assessing. So we have one month to re-organise and put all the assessments we’ve made on to paper.

“If I’m going to organise a scouting department as well, it will take a lot more time to bring what we want for next season.

“I have a lot of knowledge of players, clubs from different leagues and competitions. I know what I want and what the club needs. We’re working on it.”

Caixinha’s biggest success in football so far came when he won three trophies with Santos in Mexico.

He spoke about the way signing three Argentinean players transformed the fortunes of the team.

It seems likely he will again look to recruit players from around the globe.

Some fans of the Light Blues might already be having doubts about the manager, but he maintains is here for a lengthy spell and is moving his family to Scotland.