Rangers boss Mark Warburton slams contract '˜rumour-mongers'

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has hit out at the 'rumour-mongers' who suggested he had disappeared never to return in the summer and that he had rejected a new contract.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton with the Ladbrokes SPFL Championship trophy at the Kelpies. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS

Nothing was seen or heard from Warburton in the wake of the Scottish Cup final loss to Hibs – with no Ibrox players or official attending the post-match press conference after the on-field chaos at Hampden – but the Englishman said yesterday he was perplexed that this led to so much unfounded title-tattle.

“The mystery is that I had three weeks off, of which I had ten days in Florida, three days at home – three – and seven days at St George’s Park doing my Pro Licence,” he said. “I’m being nearly divorced by the missus but apart from that, that was my summer! I can’t control speculation. I can’t control the rumour-mongers. I do think it’s inappropriate that someone can’t have ten days away. At the end of the process, I got away from Glasgow on 25 May. I hadn’t seen the wife for seven weeks and I had to spend time with the family.

“The owner [Dave King] has been busy with a number of things to do with the club, doing great work – him and the board. We opened discussions and I’m sure they’ll continue, but there’s nothing more mysterious than people being busy or having a summer break.

“I read contract talks have