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Mark Warburton said Rangers lacked quality at Livingston

Rangers manager Mark Warburton asks questions on the touchline
Image: Rangers manager Mark Warburton accepted his side 'lacked quality' in the second half at Livingston

Rangers boss Mark Warburton accepted his team performed poorly in the second half at Livingston as the hosts fought back to draw 1-1.

The result leaves Rangers top of the Scottish Championship table on goal difference only, after second-placed Hibernian won 1-0 at Alloa.

Jason Holt fired the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute with Myles Hippolyte lashing home the equaliser early in the second half.

Warburton said: "We started well, got the goal and then pushed for a second which didn't quite come. But in truth, we lacked quality in the second half.

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Rangers remain top of the Scottish Championship table, but only on goal difference, after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Livingston

"We had lots of the ball, something like 70 per cent of the possession. But we lacked the guile in the final third.

"We huffed and puffed, but never had the true class in the key areas. We have to do better. We're not feeling extra pressure because of what Hibs are doing. That doesn't come into it.

"But we have to learn from today. There's no point saying we've had 70 per cent possession. That's not good enough. We have to get a reward from it.

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Rangers manager Mark Warburton (r) shouts instructions at Livingston on Saturday
Image: Mark Warburton (r) shouts instructions during Saturday's match at Livingston

"Respectfully, teams are getting eight, nine and 10 men behind the ball. It is hard to break them down because they are compact, solid and organised."

He also said Livingston were a stronger side physically: "Look at our opponents today. There are guys there who are 6ft 2in and 6ft 3in.

"They have got physicality. It doesn't help us to go throwing random balls into the box.

"We made two or three poor decisions when it comes to putting the ball in and it just makes centre-halves look good.

There's no point saying we've had 70 per cent possession. That's not good enough. We have to get a reward from it.
Mark Warburton

"We have to be patient, keep moving the ball and show that quality in the final third."

Livingston boss Mark Burchill claimed his side should have been awarded two penalties as he felt Gers defender Rob Kiernan got away with a handball and that Gary Glen was bundled over by Lee Wallace.

Burchill said: "The lads say the one in the first half was 100 per cent a penalty and Gary is in the dressing room saying Wallace ran into the back of him.

"I'm not surprised, though, that's what happens when you're near the bottom of the league."

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