ROSS FORBES reckons the current Rangers squad could challenge Celtic for the Premiership title after they took Morton apart at Cappielow.

The former Motherwell man was up against his boyhood heroes and despite being a calming influence in the Ton midfield, he was powerless in stopping the Glasgow giants roaring to a 4-0 win.

On the same night the Greenock club deservedly overturned Motherwell in the League Cup last Tuesday, Rangers floundered along the road at Ibrox in a 3-1 defeat to St Johnstone.

It was a result that caused some to call into question the progress the team has made under Mark Warburton, but Forbes was left in no doubt after seeing them up close yesterday.

He said: “In the second half we defended well and kept it to four. We won’t play against that every week so we just need to move on to the bread and butter games.

“Our main aim is to keep ourselves in the league but it gives people a chance to see what the level is like in a higher league. That’s what you’re up against.

“I think Rangers would more than hold their own in the Premiership. They are far superior and cup games are a one-off.

“Over the course of a league season they’d definitely be up there challenging.”

It was a strange game when you take into account the result and performance - it’s not every day a team plays well and loses by four goals.

Yet that was the case here. For long spells Morton caused Rangers problems, and they really should have grabbed at least one goal to give the majority of the 7392 inside Cappielow something to shout about.

Morton manager Jim Duffy added: “The important thing from my point of view was that the players didn’t capitulate or throw the towel in.

“They worked hard, we were as organised as we could be but we were up against a side whose movement and imagination was outstanding which is why they are nine points clear in this division.

“We had a couple of chances but so did Rangers. I can look at my team and we have things to improve on to help us compete in this division. Help us to compete with Rangers? That’s a whole different story.”