MARK WARBURTON reckons Rangers sent out a message to their Championship rivals as they stretched their lead at the top of the table to 14 points with victory over Raith Rovers.

Goals in either half from Harry Forrester and Lee Wallace clinched a comfortable win for Warburton’s side at Ibrox to put them within touching distance of the second tier crown.

Rangers are now just five wins away from title glory following Hibs’ defeat to Queen of the South and Warburton was delighted with another impressive showing from the league leaders.

He said: “It can’t [change anything]. We just look to the next game.

“We have a Cup game this weekend and then we look to the following Friday night. Again, it is another three points and it is important to keep sending the message out.

“Tonight was a big one. With the Cup game coming up and the international break, we wanted three points on the board.

“It’s about giving nothing away. That’s what we talk about in the changing room. And we mean that both in the game and in general.

“Teams are looking for us to slip up and drop points and show a weakness.

“We don’t want to give anything away. Tonight, it was 2-0 but we controlled the game and dominated the football so a powerful message goes out. If we can keep doing that then we’ll be in a good place.”

After extending their advantage at the top of the table with another Championship triumph, Rangers will now turn their attentions to the Scottish Cup quarter-final with Dundee on Saturday.

Warburton rested Kenny Miller and Barrie McKay for the Raith clash and he is confident his side can give the Ibrox crowd plenty more to cheer in the last eight tie.

He said: “The fans have been through a lot in the last four or five years, so you can understand their desire and hunger to see Rangers back in the top division.

“But the fact is there are still nine games to go, still lot of points to play for. From our point of view, it has to be one game at a time.

“Our focus now is geared towards the cup tie on Saturday and it’s a game we want to win.

“Yes [Miller and McKay were rested]. Kenny had 90 minutes on Saturday and the key thing is to get the loading right.

“If we do that, he can keep being effective for us. He’s been outstanding and Barrie has been terrific for us

“What do you think? We know it will be a tough game because Dundee are an established Premiership team.

“But we are in good shape. We are Rangers, we are at home and we are going to look forward to that challenge.”