MARK WARBURTON insists he doesn’t feel under pressure at Ibrox despite Rangers falling 25 points adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Premiership standings.

The Light Blues crashed to a 4-1 defeat to Hearts on Wednesday night as they blew a chance to extend their advantage over third-placed Aberdeen.

Warburton has set his sights on the best of the rest spot this term and is determined to make further progress as Rangers continue on the road to recovery.

“Not at all,” he said when asked if he felt under pressure. “We are second in the table.

Read more: Rangers Q&A: Mark Warburton on Hearts defeat, Celtic gap, defensive frailties and the Ibrox spotlight

“I am very wary of what I say to your guys because I don't want a wrong headline. I understand that [Wednesday night] was unacceptable.

“Do we want to be 25 points behind Celtic? No, but our focus right now is Rangers and getting second in the table. That's what we have to do.

“Get back into Europe and it's another box ticked. Qualify for the Europa League if we can. Another box ticked.

“We are not going to close that gap quickly. We're not. But if we are more transparent with our fans, telling them what we are thinking and what the club are trying to do.

“We can't buy a £20million striker. I would love to, but the club can't be reckless in our spending.

“We have to be on solid financial ground. As boring as that may sound it's what the club has to do.”

It was a night to forget for Rangers at Tynecastle as they turned in another shambolic display and Ian Cathro’s side emerged as comfortable winners.

But Warburton believes the Ibrox crowd have to be realistic about where Rangers are on and off the park in their first season back in the top flight.

He said: “I’ll ask a question. When what the previous time Rangers had been down to the bottom division? It’s unprecedented.

Read more: Rangers Q&A: Mark Warburton on Hearts defeat, Celtic gap, defensive frailties and the Ibrox spotlight

“The club is coming back. Let’s be clear. Senior supporters have come up to me and said, ‘the club’s never been like this before’.

“They’ve always been at the top. They are right. The club’s pedigree is outstanding. The history of the club is magnificent. But we’ve never been to the lowest level before and had to fight our way back.

“It’s unprecedented position. We have to recognise it. We can’t say it’s unprecedented and then compare it to previous events.

“The club is coming back from a very, very low ebb, a very, very tough time. To come back and get promotion was last year’s target and we achieved it.

“What I’d like you guys to say is, ‘there is a big gap alright, but finishing second and getting in to Europe is not a bad achievement’.”