MARK WARBURTON insists he has no issue with Martyn Waghorn as the striker looks to win back his Rangers starting spot.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Bristol City and Fulham in recent days amid reports that he was unhappy with life at Ibrox.
The arrival of Joe Garner for £1.8million from Preston has increased competition for the central striking slot but Warburton is confident Waghorn will rise to the challenge this term.
He said: “I read last week that apparently I’ve had a fall-out with Waghorn and he’s desperate to leave.
“Waggy knocked on my door and went ‘have we had a fallout gaffer?’ I went not that I’m aware of Waggy’. And that was it. Far from it.
“Waggy started five games in a row and all we did was use the squad. Rob Kiernan was fourth-choice centre-half not so long ago.
“Now he has played in the last four or five games. That was despite Philippe and Danny, and their job is to get Rob and Clint out of their shirts.
“So there is no problem with Waggy. Delighted with him.
“His attitude is first-class. Where these stories come from I don’t know.”
Waghorn was an integral part of the Rangers squad last season as Warburton’s side lifted the Championship crown and Petrofac Training Cup.
But talks over a new deal stalled in the summer as the likes of Rob Kiernan and James Tavernier signed on the dotted line at Ibrox.
Waghorn has scored eight goals in 14 appearances this season and Warburton is keen to fend off any interest that arises in the Englishman during the January window.
He said: “That’s the nature of our game. They want to extend their contract, how they play, that’s the nature of the game we’re involved in.
“Managers, coaches, players, all the staff, everyone’s the same. So absolutely could [sign a new contract]. He’s a good pro. His family are settled here.
“I hope very much that that’s the case, but he’s frustrated. Every player wants to play.
“When you’ve got 22 players in your squad, you can only pick 11. It’s the same story up and down the country.
“He wants to play football. He’s got to train hard, which he’s doing. His application is first-class. When his chance comes, he’ll be ready.
“Please don’t report this the wrong way, but for every player in our squad, if the right price comes in, they’ll go. Every player.
“We’re not in a position to turn down bids that are deemed to be good value.
“I don’t want to lose anyone, but if the chairman and the board decide that it’s good value for Rangers, that’s the nature of the game we work in.”
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