Rangers boss Mark Warburton says his players can handle artificial pitches

Mark Warburton insists playing on artificial pitches is not having a negative effect on his Rangers players.

The Championship leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Alloa at the Indodrill Stadium, which uses an artificial surface, on Saturday as they were frustrated by the home side.

Warburton refused to blame the surface - or the fact Alloa had been allowed to narrow the pitch - for the points dropped but his side must play on two more 3G surfaces in their next two games, firstly at Kilmarnock in their Scottish Cup replay on Tuesday and then against Queen of the South.

However, while he accepted some of the older players may take a little longer to recover after playing on this surface, the Rangers boss said there were no worries about the upcoming fixtures.

"We are very fortunate here [Auchenhowie training ground] to have the indoor artificial surface, the outdoor 3G so we are in a good position in that respect, so no problem with the surface," he said.

"We have a few cuts and bruises but apart from that all is good and we look forward to tomorrow night now.

"I don't know how much of it is psychological but certainly it impacts some players. Some of the younger players come up training far more on astroturf or artificial surfaces than the older players. Some of them this morning have a bit of stiffness but they've been looked after and it'll be fine tomorrow night.

"This time of year is about loading - getting the loading right on the players and everyone is different. There are certain generic impacts but other than that everyone is different so we'll look after the players appropriately and reduce the loading accordingly, so it is just taking care."

New Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark will address his players before watching the fifth round replay against Rangers from the Rugby Park stands and Warburton thinks it is a good appointment having previously encountered his compatriot in the Football League.   

"We managed against Huddersfield, I think it was in League One going up, and at Blackpool as well in the Championship, so I know Lee fairly well," he said.

"It's a good appointment by Kilmarnock and certainly he brings experience of Huddersfield, Birmingham, Blackpool and a magnificent playing career as well so it is a great appointment by the club."

Meanwhile, winger Barrie McKay has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Ibrox until May 2018.

McKay's contract had been due to run out in 2017, but he has secured a one-year extension. He has played 33 times this season, scoring six goals, after spending time on loan at Greenock Morton and Raith Rovers in the past two years.

He said: "It means a lot and it shows everyone how far I've come in the past year to earn myself a new deal which I am happy to sign."