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Rangers boss Mark Warburton plays down expectations after St Mirren win

Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Image: Mark Warburton celebrated a 'huge three points' for Rangers at Ibrox

Rangers boss Mark Warburton attempted to play down expectations after his side beat St Mirren 1-0 at Ibrox.

The victory puts Rangers 11 points clear at the top of the Championship and in pole position to clinch promotion to the top flight at the second attempt.

Warburton's side made hard work of breaking down the visitors and clinched the points with four minutes remaining when former Doncaster midfielder Harry Forrester scored after coming off the bench.

"We have a good record here at Ibrox and it is a huge three points, but there are still 30 points to play for," Warburton said.

"Everything we do now is geared towards Raith and Tuesday night. It has to be that way.

"We can't control what goes around us, we can only control what we do and that will be to prepare well and deliver another good performance against another good team.

"If we can do our job one game at a time we will be in a good place, it is as simple as that.

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"If in two or three weeks' time, if we have played five and won five then we are in good shape.

"Then you can almost taste it but now there are too many points to play for."

Warburton was also quick to praise Forrester, adding: "We are delighted for Harry. He made a good impression from the outset.

"He is really keen to impress, he is a young player, technically gifted and so keen to do well.

"I am delighted that the fans saw how good he can be."

Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Image: Warburton praised sub Harry Forrester's performance

Forrester, who signed from Rovers in December until the end of the season, has been keen to make an impression.

And the 25-year-old was delighted to score his first goal for the club.

"It was a very important win, the three points are key and to get it late on shows we never give up," said Forrester.

"We have scored a few late goals since I have been here and we will fight to the end. When you are on the sidelines you are there to do a job whenever you are called upon.

Harry Forrester scored his first goal for Rangers
Image: Forrester scored his first goal for Rangers

"Every goal is crucial when you get the three points but we won't look too far ahead. We have a game on Tuesday and we look to kick on with another three points.

"For me, the goal is just a confidence-booster more than anything.

"My gaffer had shown faith in me, bringing me here and putting me on and hopefully we can kick on and I can kick on too."

St Mirren manager Alex Rae was "extremely disappointed" with the manner in which his side conceded the goal as a clearance from defender Gary Irvine landing at the feet of Michael O'Halloran, who passed to Forrester to finish from inside the box.

However, the former Gers midfielder was pleased overall with his side's performance.

"We had possession and put ourselves under pressure, which resulted in a poor clearance, and then we were a bit stretched," he said.

St Mirren manager Alex Rae
Image: Alex Rae endured a frustrating afternoon at Ibrox

"But they bring on some good quality players as well, which makes a difference.

"They are fresh, whereas we were fire-fighting but in the main we can take a lot of positives from that game.

"We limited them to a couple of free-kicks and in general we did very well. I thought we might have nicked one but it wasn't to be."

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