MARK WARBURTON admits it was an opportunity missed for Rangers as they squandered another two Premiership points against St Johnstone.

The Light Blues remain fifth in the top flight standings after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tommy Wright’s side at Ibrox.

Blair Alston gave the Saints an early lead but Rangers couldn’t build after the break despite Joe Garner pulling them level after 36 minutes.

Victory would have moved the Gers level on points with second placed Aberdeen and above Hearts in table but it was another poor night at the office for Warburton’s side.

Read more: Rangers 1-1 St Johnstone: Hampden hangover as Mark Warburton's side falter at IbroxGlasgow Times:

Rangers were booed off the park by a frustrated home crowd and will now look to get back to winning ways when they face Kilmarnock this weekend.

Warburton said: “There are tough teams with European experience.

“We haven’t learned anything we didn’t already know. They’re a team that’s very well managed.

“It was an opportunity missed, at home. It was a poor second half, it wasn’t what we were after. We weren’t good enough second half.

Read more: Rangers 1-1 St Johnstone: Hampden hangover as Mark Warburton's side falter at Ibrox

“It’s part of playing for Rangers. People ask about the expectations.

“It’s a demanding crowd because they’re used to success.

“The players have to recognise it’s an expectant crowd - and quite rightly.

“We have to respect that and learn from that tonight. We know what the crowd wants, they’re magnificent.

“If we can play our game and move the ball quickly we’ll create chances but we fell below standards.”

After seeing their ambitions of lifting the Betfred Cup ended by Celtic on Sunday as they suffered a second Old Firm defeat of the season, Rangers returned to league action hoping to give their campaign a timely boost.

But it was to prove another 90 minutes to forget for Warburton as his side slipped up once again and dropped points at home for the third time this term.

Warburton made a handful of changes to the side that lost at Hampden and it was striker Garner who marked his return to the starting line-up with his second goal for the Light Blues.

St Johnstone had chances to clinch a dramatic win and Warburton was left frustrated with a below par showing from his side once again.

He said: “It was a decent first half. We went down to a very good goal then worked hard to get the goal back.

“Second half was below our standard. It wasn’t a good second half. It was an opportunity missed tonight.

“It was a decent first half but we didn’t continue that and we gave the ball away cheaply.

“We weren’t brave getting out, despite possession stats we didn’t play the way we wanted to.

“Sunday’s game didn’t affect us. They played Sunday too so there are no excuses that way.

“It was an emotionally draining game but it is part of playing for a club like this, there are no excuses.

“It’s disappointing because we conceded a goal. They’re a very good team, very well organised.

“We had to dig in, it was a decent header from Joe who showed his aerial prowess tonight.

“It was frustrating for all of us. Damage was done because we expected to take three points.”

Read more: Rangers 1-1 St Johnstone: Hampden hangover as Mark Warburton's side falter at Ibrox

Having seen his side fall further off the title pace, Warburton will now look to regroup and get his side back on track ahead of the Killie clash this weekend.

But attentions will switch to off-field matters once again on Thursday as Joey Barton returns to Ibrox for the first time since being banished from the club.

The midfielder was involved in a training ground bust-up with his team-mates and had an angry confrontation with Warburton in the aftermath of the Old Firm defeat last month.

Barton has been suspended on full pay in recent weeks but he and his representatives will now attend a meeting with Gers chiefs as the disciplinary process continues.