Rangers: ‘We should have controlled the game completely’ says frustrated Warburton

Glasgow Rangers manager Mark Warburton lamented a second-half dip on Saturday as his side eked out a nervy first three points of the season against Dundee.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton. Russell Cheyne / Action Images / Reuters

Rangers manager Mark Warburton says his side need to learn lessons from their hard-fought 2-1 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee on Saturday in which they looked assured in attack but unconvincing in defence.

The Glasgow club had looked in total control for the majority of the first half at Dens Park as Harry Forrester, who was handed his first start of the season, acrobatically fired his side in front after 14 minutes.

Veteran striker Kenny Miller then doubled their advantage with a fine finish 25 minutes later as the visitors dominated.

However, Dundee exploited their defensive frailties when Mark O’Hara peeled away from marker Joey Barton to power home a header from a corner two minutes before the break.

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Rangers dropped a gear in the second half as they survived a nervy finish and manager Warburton said the players held a post-match inquest in the dressing room in a bid to find out why.

“It was a welcome three points as it is a tough place to come but we have to learn from that game,” the former Brentford manager said.

“I thought the first 10 or 12 minutes were sloppy and we gave the ball away cheaply and made some poor decisions.

“But the last half hour of the first half I thought we were very good. They were well-taken goals but we had three or four other open chances and in truth we should have been out of sight. We must work on that.

“I was pleased with that and we wanted to start the second half like that but we dipped a little bit and were a bit hesitant and nervous and we shouldn’t have been really. We should have controlled the game completely.

“Although we created chances it wasn’t as fluid as the first half and hence the debate we just had in the dressing room.

“In the second half, instead of going on, we dipped down a gear and gave Dundee full respect and we can’t do that.

“If I knew why the second half happened like that I would be a mastermind.

“We have a number of new faces who are starting to gel but it’s important we keep pushing forward.”

The win means the Glasgow giants top the fledgling table on four points with St Johnstone, who came from behind to win 2-1 against Motherwell.

Last season’s high-flyers Aberdeen and Hearts played out a goalless draw while Ross County defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-2 in the Highland derby.

Old Firm rivals Celtic's game against Partick Thistle was postponed to allow a friendly against Inter Milan in Ireland.

Rangers have once again been linked with a move for Preston North End forward Joe Garner and manager Warburton admitted he hopes to bring in a couple of new players before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

“There are a number of players we are still looking for. We are looking for a striking option and a defensive option,” he said.

“There are a number of conversations being had at the moment and hopefully we can make some progress in the next 24 or 48 hours.”

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