Mark Warbuton happy with Rangers options despite absence of stars

Rangers boss Mark Warbuton is happy with his squad despite the absence of marquee signings Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.

With Kranjcar out for the rest of the campaign through injury, and Barton tied up with off-the-field issues, Warbuton says he is coping relatively well.

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After last week's emphatic 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock, Warbuton has every reason to believe Rangers are on the mend when reflecting on recent events with Barton and Kranjcar. 

"Things happen in football," he said. "That's how the game is. Sometimes you think you have the bases covered but that is when you are most exposed. "But right now, for example, I'm delighted with the way Andy Halliday has stepped into the breach. He has been outstanding."

Rangers face Ross County in their first league match at Dingwall on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2. Ross County sit second bottom in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

Warbuton believes his opponents are a much better side than their league position suggests.

"The results have been unfair on Ross County," he said. "Anyone who watched the games will agree they didn't deserve those results."

"They are a very good team, they are very well managed by Jim McIntyre and we know the quality they possess."

Rangers are third in the league, two points below Aberdeen with a game in hand. Celtic remain on top, nine points above their bitter rivals. 

Warbuton remains upbeat with the choices he has. "Michael O'Halloran has been very good for the last two games also, so we are using the squad," he said. 

"We've also got Martyn Waghorn, Harry Forrester, Barrie McKay - we've got options."