MARK WARBURTON insists Rangers won’t be reckless in the transfer market and look to spend big to clinch another Premiership crown.

Former Ibrox boss Walter Smith claimed this week that the Light Blues may have to ‘take a gamble and risk going into debt’ as they attempt to close the gap to Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Rangers have lost all three derby outings this term and are currently 19 points off the pace being set by Brendan Rodgers’ side as they ease towards a sixth successive top flight title.

Warburton has added loan stars Emerson Hyndman and Jon Toral to his squad already this month and insists a patient approach is the only way forward at Ibrox.

He said: “Please don’t put this as me against Walter. Far from it.

“I’ve got enormous respect for Walter and he’s a great help to me. But my personal opinion is that, from where this club has been, it’s important that it builds strong, solid financial foundations.

“I don’t think in the current market, you can afford to go and buy your way out trouble, spending money that you haven’t got.

“That’s not said in a derogatory way to the club. Far from it. But I think we’ve got to be very prudent in what we do going forward.

“If that means there is a bit of frustration, I think the vast majority of fans understand that, from where the club has been, and where it needs to get back to, it needs to be done in a very prudent and astute manner.”

Boss Warburton highlighted the financial disparity between Rangers and their Old Firm rivals before the derby defeat at Hogmanay that saw the Light Blues fall further adrift of Rodgers’ side.

Former Gers skipper Barry Ferguson has urged Warburton to adopt a more prudent plan and the Englishman is determined to lay strong foundations on and off the park.

Warburton said: “Your word was reckless. I’m not being sarcastic, but that’s the term you could use.

“The club was in a very perilous position. The chairman has come in with the board and steadied the ship and the club has moved forward.

“I just think that, after the experiences of the last four or five years, they’ve got to move forward on strong financial foundations and move at a pace that is appropriate for the club.

“We can’t be impacted by events or performances away from us. We have to look at Rangers.

“I’m not disagreeing with Walter. I have enormous respect for Walter and for Barry. Everyone has an opinion in football.

“That’s why everyone loves the game. But that’s my own personal opinion: that we have to be very prudent, very astute in what we do in the coming months.”