MARK WARBURTON has hit back at Hibernian counterpart Alan Stubbs and told him to focus on his own club – not on Rangers’ financial resources.

The Easter Road boss claimed Warburton’s playing budget was ‘at least four times bigger’ than his in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat earlier this month that saw Rangers’ Championship advantage cut to five points.

Hibs will look to inch closer to their title rivals when they face Livingston tomorrow night and Warburton insists Stubbs has plenty to focus on without talking about the Light Blues.

He said: “One, I’m not sure where they are finding out their information from, again they are just picking numbers out of the sky.

“Two, I heard previously that managing Rangers was a really easy job, apparently. That is what I was told earlier.

Glasgow Times: 23/08/15 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP . RANGERS v HIBERNIAN . IBROX - GLASGOW . Hibernian Manager Alan Stubbs (centre) and Rangers Manager Mark Warburton. (36288820)

“In that respect, I think it is really important you talk about your own club. That is not being rude in any way.

“I answer questions about Rangers Football Club. I wouldn’t for the life of me talk about another football club for the wrong reasons.

“If you are going to ask about budgets, we had a smaller budget at Brentford last year and came fifth in the Championship.

“So it is not all about the size of your budget, it is how best you utilise your budget. Again, the key focus is to talk about your own team.”

Rangers got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 win over Alloa last weekend as they maintained their lead in the title race.

Glasgow Times: Martyn Waghorn celebrates his opener for Rangers against Alloa

The Leith loss is the only black mark on their league record this term and Warburton is pleased with the position his side find themselves in.

He said: “Let’s be honest the players the players read what the media produces. They’ll see ‘it’s a disaster you’re only five points clear at the top’. That’s what we said to them.

“Everyone would agree that Hearts ran away with it last year. Danny Wilson and Jason Holt are sitting there. But we are one point better off than they were at this stage.

“That’s how bad we are doing. That’s not in an arrogant way. That’s just us saying to the players – don’t lose confidence or the belief in what you are doing.

“You’re doing okay right now. You’ve lost one game of football – a game we felt we should have got something out of.

Glasgow Times: Rangers Manager Mark Warburton gives instructions at training

“Hibs have done well. Really well. They’ve hit a good run of form.

“They’ve got momentum and self-belief. That’s great. They get on with their business but only focus here is Rangers Football Club.

“All credit to them. At this high level of football, to put a run together is an achievement and any team that does it deserves credit. But our focus is only here.”