RANGERS have today insisted there has been no approach for manager Mark Warburton following speculation linking him with the vacant position at Fulham.
The 53-year-old took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to distance himself from the Craven Cottage post and once again committed himself to the Light Blues at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Championship clash with Raith Rovers on Saturday.
And Rangers have now confirmed that there has been no approach for permission to speak with Warburton, who has caught the interest of a number of clubs already this season.
A club statement said: "Following almost a week of speculation Rangers would like to make it absolutely clear that no clubs have been in touch seeking permission to speak with our manager Mark Warburton.
"The club cannot prevent speculation but Rangers fans can be assured that Mark’s commitment to the job he has started with Rangers remains total, as he himself has already made clear."
Both bemused and frustrated by shockingly incorrect stories from certain media outlets. I am going nowhere and no club has approached me
— Mark Warburton (@MarkWarburton9) December 2, 2015
Such stories are incorrect and disrespectful to me, to Rangers and to the supposed interested party which in this case is Fulham. Appalling
— Mark Warburton (@MarkWarburton9) December 2, 2015
Why are such stories are released without any sensible investigation? Rangers fans, Rangers as a club and indeed Fulham deserve better
— Mark Warburton (@MarkWarburton9) December 2, 2015
When asked if he could categorically say he would not be the next manager of Fulham, the 53-year-old replied: "Absolutely. Please hear my words. It is very disrespectful to me, the club, the supporters and this case, Fulham. So categorically, absolutely, that is the case.
"I am the Rangers manager. I made it very clear last week, Saturday and Tuesday and last night I was forced into saying once again that I am absolutely committed to Rangers."
Warburton, who also denied being offered extra incentives to stay at the Govan club such as an increased transfer budget for January, insists all the recent talk linking him to the English Championship club has not been a distraction as he tries to keep his side at the top of the table with the 4-0 win over Dumbarton at Ibrox on Tuesday night taking the Light Blues three points clear of second-placed Hibernian.
The former Brentford boss said: "Not at all. It's a great group of players, absolutely committed as you saw on Tuesday night.
"We prepared well, the pitch was heavy and our squad is fairly thin. We are looking forward to Raith."
Warburton claims he has not been surprised by the focus on him as Rangers boss since he was appointed in the summer.
He said: "It is intense, isn't it? That side of it I understand. It is a huge club, a massive club and I understand that side of it and I have no problem with that at all.
"You seen the very first day, the press conference at the announcement of my position, you see the size and scale of the club, the global fan base, the expectation, stature, history, all the things you say time and again.
"You have to be aware of it, have to respect it, recognise it and you have to enjoy it. If not, don't take the job in the first place."
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