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Rangers manager Mark Warburton frustrated by Old Firm defeat

Rangers' Philippe Senderos dejected after Rangers conceded a third goal
Image: Philippe Senderos was sent off on his Rangers debut

Rangers manager Mark Warburton was left frustrated with decisions made by match officials following Saturday's Old Firm derby defeat.

Rangers were beaten 5-1 by Glasgow rivals Celtic, with the Gers having Philippe Senderos sent off on his debut with 15 minutes to play.  

Mikael Lustig avoided a second yellow card minutes later after a crunching tackle on Barrie McKay that saw assistant coach David Weir sent to the stands for his protests, and it left the Rangers boss frustrated after the game. 

"The handball and going down to ten men hurt us," Warburton told Sky Sports

"We had no choice and we had to do damage limitation and at 3-1, we still felt like we had something in the game but frustrated with that one and frustrated that others didn't follow if I'm honest with you.

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Highlights from Celtic Park as Celtic faced Rangers in the first Old Firm match of the season

"Davie was sent to the stand because we were more than frustrated that Barrie McKay was taken out on the far side by a player on a yellow card.

"I'm never going to say we abuse match officials, far from it, but my point in the matter is that it was hugely frustrating that a player on a yellow card clearly takes out our wide player and stays on the pitch.

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"At ten men all, it's a different proposition but at 3-1 with ten men we had a real uphill struggle."

Moussa Dembele hit a hat-trick in the first Old Firm meeting in the Scottish Premiership for four years, with Scott Sinclair and Stuart Armstrong adding to the tally. 

Rangers' Joey Barton (L) challenges Kieran Tierney of Celtic
Image: Joey Barton challenges Kieran Tierney of Celtic

Joe Garner netted the only goal for Rangers late in the first-half and they were unable to capitalise on some early second period pressure.

It was hugely disappointing. We were just talking in there that the fans were magnificent for us," Warburton added.

"We went 2-1 down and felt we weren't at our best in the first half but got a lifeline with the goal. We came out in the second half and wanted to dominate the ball and we did that for the first 15 minutes.

"I thought we were good in the second half. McKay had a good chance and I thought we were in a good shape but we made some poor decisions and gave away cheap goals. As a group in there, we know that."

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