Mark Warburton has rubbished reports he and Martyn Waghorn have fallen out, which has led to further speculation he could leave Rangers in January with Bristol City and Fulham credited with an interest.
Waghorn Edging Towards Rangers Exit? Click Here.
When questioned about this, quoted by Sky Sports is his pre-match press conference ahead of Dundee on Saturday, Warburton said Waghorn was as surprised as he was to read these reports.
‘I read a report that we had a big fallout, which was quite interesting. Waggy knocked on the door and said: ‘Have we fallen out gaffer?’ I said: ‘Not as far as I’m aware, Waggy’. Far from it.’
The arrival of Joe Garner from Preston before the transfer window closed in the summer wasn’t a move Warburton said he made for him to be Waghorn’s replacement, this was made to increase the squad size to give Rangers greater competition for places and ensure we had enough options.
Increased numbers will leave some frustrated, including Waghorn who has been on the bench for the last four-matches.
‘He started five games in a row. He wants to play football, of course he does. When he is starting there are other guys that are frustrated. The decision (assistant manager) David (Weir) and I made was to increase the squad size from 21 to 23 because last year we literally ran out of bodies by the cup final. So we had to add numbers, which we did. That means if everyone is fit and well you are going to have one or two frustrated players.’
Waghorn hasn’t scored a Premiership goal since the opening match of the season with his last goals coming when the 26-year-old scored a hat-trick against Queen of the South in the League Cup on 20th September.
The best way for Waghorn, and anyone else who is frustrated at being out of the side, to get back in is for them to ‘work harder’ and a chance will come but Warburton concluded there’s been no issue with the attitude shown by the former Wigan striker.
‘The answer? Work harder, just work harder. The hard work will be recognised and we will pick you. But there is no doubt about Waggy’s attitude. He is a first-class professional. He is frustrated but he shows it by working harder. When his time comes, which it will do shortly, then I’m sure he will be in shape to take it.’
