MARK Warburton has no fears of Rangers suffering post-title rust after watching his side defeat Spurs 4-3 in a bounce game yesterday.

The Ibrox side will go into the Scottish Cup Final against Hibs on May 21 at Hampden without a competitive game for three weeks.

But Warburton is fully convinced his players will be at the top of their game after the newly-crowned Championship kings saw off a fringe Spurs outfit at the Barclays Premier League club’s London training ground.

First-half goals from Dean Shiels and James Tavernier had the visitors 2-0 up at the interval before the Whites hit back after the break.

But two more goals from Martyn Waghorn and Nicky Clark in the second period ensured Rangers travelled back north with a morale-boosting win.

Warburton, a lifelong Tottenham fan, was delighted with his team’s efforts and praised Spurs for providing a stern test in the build-up to the cup final.

He said: “Spurs were excellent hosts for us and their hospitality was superb. The playing surface for the match was outstanding and it was a really good test for us.

“We were really good in the first half and I was delighted with our intensity and tempo. We scored a couple and looked in good shape.

“In the second half, Spurs responded to our first half and posed us a different challenge, but I thought it was really beneficial for all the players and staff, and I am so thankful to Spurs for their warmth of welcome.

“They were a really technically gifted team, as all the Spurs teams are. It was a really good test for us and I am delighted with it.”

There was also another run-out and a goal for Waghorn as he continues to hone his match-sharpness.

Warburton added: “He did really well, but so did all of the boys that played today.

"We got good pitch time, and that was really, really pleasing for us.”

Rangers are also using this period of downtime to map out a plan to keep active ahead of next season’s scheduled winter break.

The SPFL  have agreed to introduce a two-week break in January.
Warburton told Rangers’ official website: “From my point of view it’s about how we fill in these three weeks, and I we have to learn from it given we have a winter break coming up next season.

“We have to look at how best we use the time and what we can do. In general though, I am really, really pleased with the way in which our players have responded this time.

“We have to look at it though – Hibs have a very active game schedule – so we have to see what way best prepares our players – what’s right, what’s wrong and what best poses them a challenge.”