Rangers manager Mark Warburton says players were motivated by 'disrespectful criticism'
Sunday 27 September 2015 16:50, UK
Rangers manager Mark Warburton says it was the "disrespectful" recent criticism that spurred his side on to their eighth straight league win.
After their 11-game perfect record came to an end with a defeat to St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup in midweek, the Gers responded by thrashing Morton 4-0 away from home in the Championship.
Warburton says his players were "riled by some of the comments" in the Scottish media and described them as "over the top".
"There was no doubt we were going to come out and start fast. We were very good in that first half-hour," Warburton said.
"We were a little bit sloppy at times in terms of possession and geography, but overall it was a very pleasing result.
"I thought the media criticism was a little disrespectful. I just thought some of the comments were over the top after losing one game of football.
"The players were riled by some of the comments and they were ready for it. They have now played 13 games and won 12. Everyone loses a game of football and we will learn from it."
Martyn Waghorn bagged a hat-trick in the win at Cappielow Park, taking his tally to 14 goals from 13 appearances in all competitions.
And Warburton said: "Martyn will get better and better. He just needed to play football and get a run of games. He had too many substitutions, and 10 minutes here and there.
"The more he plays, he will go from strength to strength. Everyone says he's not a prolific goalscorer but he is doing all right so far."
Morton boss Jim Duffy admitted Rangers were on a different level despite his side creating some decent chances.
"Rangers were terrific," Duffy said. "We gave them the first goal which was disappointing. They had six penalties already this season so we told them: 'Don't dive in in the box'. And we dive in and give away a penalty.
"That was frustrating because it could have been avoided, but after Rangers got the opening goal they really moved the ball quickly, and you could see the criticism they had from midweek really fired them up.
"They were relentless for the rest of the first half and we just had to stay in there. My players worked hard and were as organised as we could be but we came up against a side whose movement and imagination was outstanding."
