THE hangover has now lasted more than a week for Rangers. Mark Warburton must find the cure sooner rather than later if his side are to have reason to celebrate once again this season.

After three games that saw Rangers clinch the Championship title, lift the Petrofac Training Cup and then secure a place in the Scottish Cup final with Old Firm triumph, the three that have followed have been frustrating and disappointing affairs.

Rangers have been well below their best since securing their finest result of the campaign against Celtic at Hampden and the pattern continued at the Tony Macaroni Arena as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat to Livingston.

It is perhaps understandable that Warburton’s side would suffer a dip in the aftermath of such a draining, both physically and mentally, run of fixtures.

But with just the trip to St Mirren to come on Sunday before attentions are fully fixed on the Scottish Cup final against Hibernian on May 21, Rangers must find their form quickly.

Defensive errors cost the Light Blues dear at Easter Road and a lack of cutting edge saw them get the title party off to a low-key as they were held by Alloa.

This performance was the worst of the three, though. It may not matter in terms of the Championship title race but it will be a cause for concern for Warburton.

It certainly was for the fans that were sent home far from happy. They will expect, and demand, much better in Paisley this weekend.

Livingston made their visitors feel right at home before kick-off as they gave Warburton’s side a guard of honour while Ibrox anthem Penny Arcade played around the ground.

It was one of the few times the Light Blue legions had something to sing about, though, as Rangers struggled to make an impression in a low key encounter.

Warburton handed starts to Dominic Ball at centre-back, Gedion Zelalem and Dean Shiels in the middle of the park and Michael O’Halloran and Billy King in attack.

It was a chance for all to impress but Rangers were sluggish throughout a poor first half as they failed to find the rhythm that has been evident for most of the campaign.

There was also a chance to shine for one of David Hopkin’s players. Matthew Knox spent time training with Warburton’s side earlier in the campaign and could well start the new season at Ibrox if Rangers can complete a move for the highly-rated playmaker.

The Lions kid wasn’t a standout, but neither was anyone in blue. It was a typical end of season affair, but Rangers’ campaign is far from finished.

Rangers’ trip here last year was one of their poorest performances of the term and Warburton’s side were flat as they struggled to raise their game and once again toiled and were well off the pace.

Andy Halliday was first to try his luck from distance but he cut across his effort as the ball went wide of Marc McCallum’s goal before Zelalem’s tame strike went in the same direction.

There were two chances for O’Halloran to make his mark on the game but he couldn’t pick out Kenny Miller or King after bursting down the right flank and he failed to hit the target when in a promising position inside the box.

After Halliday saw a curling free-kick clip the top of McCallum’s net, Livingston began to look more threatening, Danny Mullen firing just wide of target after collecting a Sam Stanton pass.

It was Stanton who would have Livingston’s next couple of efforts as he weaved his way into the area and narrowly missed the far corner of Wes Foderingham’s net before he came close with a long-range effort with just a couple of minutes remaining of the first half.

There was still time for the Lions to have another attempt, though, and this time they made it count as they took the lead to leave the travelling Gers fans less than impressed.

It was Knox who would get the assist and a former Murray Park kid who did the damage, Craig Halkett heading home a free-kick to put David Hopkin’s side in front at the break.

If Warburton was expecting an immediate reaction after the interval, he was left disappointed. It was much of the same from Rangers, and certainly not good enough.

Their passing wasn’t accurate or crisp enough and too many attacking phases were laboured as Livingston stood firm, determined to hold on to what they had.

There were a couple of speculative shots from Halliday and Tavernier and appeals for a penalty when McCallum clattered into King. It was the winger’s last action as he was replaced by Barrie McKay, while Jason Holt took over from Shiels.

Livingston had two chances to make sure of the points but Liam Buchanan couldn’t hit the target with a header before Foderingham denied the striker with a good save after he bore down on goal.

As a fifth league loss of the campaign loomed, Miller, a relentless runner but whose efforts went unrewarded, fired narrowly wide. The clock was against Rangers as fans started to head for the exits.

Those that remained left Warburton’s side in no doubt about what they thought of their efforts. For the third game in succession, it wasn’t good enough from Rangers.

The three week break in the build-up to the Scottish Cup final is far from ideal for the champions, but the 90 minutes ahead at St Mirren has now taken on an added significance.