MARK WARBURTON admits his Rangers squad must be mindful of the sharp rise in expectations from a demanding Ibrox crowd after a series of superb showings this season.

Rangers have hit the goal trail in the opening weeks of the campaign as they have won their first ten games of the Warburton era, but they were uncharacteristically flat in the 3-0 triumph over Livingston last weekend.

The Light Blue legions have been impressed with the new style of play the Gers boss has introduced this term as his summer signings have made an instant impact.

And Warburton knows the demands from the stands have risen already as he seeks win number eleven at Dumbarton this afternoon.

He said: “We just had a meeting, the players and the staff, about that very subject.

“They have set very high standards and the fans want to be entertained. They have been fantastic but there will be days when things don’t go our way.

“As long as there is 100% commitment and work rate, the fans will be happy. Any fan that pays money for a ticket and take their family along, they don’t want to see a player half-heartedly making a challenge.

“Whatever line of work you are in, there will be things when days just don’t go right.”

The Gers squad held a dressing room inquest in the aftermath of their win last weekend in an attempt to get to the root of their sluggish showing.

And Warburton was pleased to see his players take responsibility as they strive for improvement in the Sons clash.

He said: “We are not downbeat, we won 3-0 at home. It is an inquest into why we didn’t hit the standards we could.

“We felt the rhythm of our play last week wasn’t as good as it has been in previous matches, so why was that? The easiest thing to do would be to say ‘3-0, thanks very much’ and move onto the next one.

“If you are going to set a standard, everyone recognised, and the fans, that that wasn’t the level we have set. If we learn from it great. If we don’t then we have a problem.”

After playing their seventh Championship fixture of the season this afternoon, Rangers will face St Johnstone in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

And Warburton could look to mix it up after sticking with the same starting line-up for the games against Raith and Livingston in the last fortnight.

He said: “Possibly. But we are not dropping or weakening or a stronger side, it is just using our squad. We have a really good squad, it is lean, it is hungry.

“We will make some changes, possibly. But I have got no hesitation to use anyone in the squad.”