MARK WARBURTON hopes Rangers can avoid another nervy finish by finding a killer instinct in the Premiership.

The Light Blues recorded a third successive top flight win with victory over Hamilton on Friday night as they strengthened their grip on second spot in the standings.

But it was far from a comfortable end to the evening for Warburton’s side as Accies pushed for a late leveller to snatch a point at New Douglas Park.

Rangers passed up a host of scoring chances after Martyn Waghorn had hit a brace to put victory in their sights before Dougie Imrie netted with 12 minutes remaining.

Read more: Exclusive: Patience has paid off for Mark Warburton and Rangers, says John Brown

The missed opportunities didn’t cost the Gers and boss Warburton was satisfied with another solid showing overall from his side.

He said: “It should have been a few more, and I think the last 10 minutes were probably more nervy than they needed to be. We just spoke to the players there about being more clinical.

“We have got to look at what we are doing as well. We look at stats a lot, and our passes have been down but our chances are up.

“We have an outlet certainly with Joe Garner and runners off, and we are looking at working on that system as well.

“We have always got to look after and take care of the football though. It’s getting the balance right, and we will work on it going forward and the last few weeks have shown we are making good progress.

Read more: Exclusive: Patience has paid off for Mark Warburton and Rangers, says John Brown

“They have shown a real application and desire which we know they possess in abundance.

“There were two big home games and a tough away fixture. Hamilton is a tough place to go to – they are a really well-organised team, are defensively strong, on a difficult surface, so all credit to the players.

“To have created that many chances – 24 shots on goal – yes, we should have been very comfortably ahead, and it would have been nice to send out a real message and a real statement of intent.

“The fact is, it was a good away victory, there are three more points on the board, other results went well for us, and now all the focus – everything – is geared towards the Christmas Eve game.”

Rangers return to action when they face Inverness Caley Thistle this weekend before they warm-up for the Hogmanay Old Firm showdown with a trip to St Johnstone.

Striker Joe Garner has become a firm favourite with supporters during the last three outings as his all-action style has been crucial at the head of the Light Blues attack.

And Warburton is pleased the 28-year-old is making an impact at Ibrox following his £1.8million summer switch from Preston.

He told rangers.co.uk: “Joe offers something different and we said when he signed that he would do that.

Read more: Exclusive: Patience has paid off for Mark Warburton and Rangers, says John Brown

“Physically, he’s only 5’ 9” or 5’ 10” but he has tremendous timing and technique aerially, he’s strong and never shies out of a challenge.

“He poses a problem to the opposition for the 90 minutes he is on the pitch and we needed something different up there.

“We had the cleverness and guile of Kenny, the pace of Waggy, Joe and Michael, the cleverness of Harry Forrester and Joe offered us that different something and they boys have used it very well.

“So all credit to them for the last few weeks as there have been some tremendous performances.”