MARK WARBURTON is confident Rangers have learned lessons from their Championship slump as they set their sights on Scottish Cup glory.

The Light Blues round off their second fixture schedule against St Mirren tomorrow before attentions are firmly fixed on Hibernian next month.

Warburton’s side have taken just one point from their last three league outings against Hibernian, Alloa and Livingston as they have failed to maintain their momentum in the aftermath of Old Firm triumph.

But the Ibrox boss knows the Gers have to raise their game once again if they are to be in the right shape mentally and physically for their date with destiny at Hampden.

Warburton said: “You don’t flick a switch. What we have to do is just recognise that we are probably tired; a number of our players.

“People like Tav (James Tavernier), Wes [Foderingham] have played every minute of every game. We have a tight and lean squad.

“You can get fatigue and to play those sort of games – to win the league, the Petrofac and beat Celtic in that 11 day period – it’s understandable fatigue will kick in a little bit.

“I’m not defending it – it’s our job to defend against it. But we can learn from it.

“The scenario of winning leagues, Old Firm games, cup finals is new. You can have individual experiences, but you don’t usually have it all together at the same time. Everyone is learning.

“It’s also us, the staff. You can’t sit there and take plaudits when you win games then say it’s their fault when you don’t. Far from it.

“Did we get the timetable right? I’m not sure. Was training intense enough?

“Did we take our feet off the gas to make sure there was no fatigue? Do we need to train harder?

“As a group of staff we made mistakes and have to learn from it.”

After facing the Saints tomorrow, Warburton will give his players time off at the start of a three week break before they return to action and face Tottenham in a behind closed doors clash.

Spurs kid Dominic Ball is suspended for the final but he will remain with the Gers first team group until the final alongside cup-tied pair Michael O’Halloran and Billy King.

Warburton said: “He will stay with the squad right the way through to the cup final.

“He has played a big part in us getting to the cup final, had a superb game in the semi-final.

“No doubt he will be part of the training group same as O’Halloran and Billy King.

“Just to make sure we are ready for the 21st. We will train with 16 players – a really good number and intensity. Billy and Michael and Dom will be part of that.”