The Manager’s post-match media conference

“We got what we deserved.

“The initial start to the game, we spoke about trying to keep the crowd quiet or bring some pressure onto the Rangers players after the last couple of results that they have had. But we gave them the complete opposite. We gave them a lift.

“It was an unnecessary penalty to give away. There needed to be more restraint and awareness. That helped their crowd get into it and from that point the Rangers players were brighter than ours. They showed more energy in the middle of the park. They won more headers. They were more aggressive. Everything that I expected from my own team to be honest in the early part of the game.

“We got to half time 2-0 down.

“I think there is still a result there for us if we can go and get the next goal. I thought we were far better in the second half. In terms of personnel and I thought our shape was far better as well. The players took more responsibility.

“People say that 2-0, 3-0 does not matter but it does. It is such a poor decision from the linesman. He is a couple of yards offside when he puts the ball in net. We were the victims of a poor decision on Sunday but it did not really matter because we win the game anyway. Linemen should be accountable for such poor decisions.

“I felt it was harsh on us to lose the second half. I thought we were better and as I say I thought we took more responsibility.

“Gary Mackay-Steven got injured and then Christie foolishly gets himself sent-off.
It was not the greatest of evenings for us. it was a sore one. We just need to dust ourselves down and hopefully on the Sunday we will have the reverse and have a result for us.

“The only incident I have seen back is the Rangers penalty. I thought it was maybe a coming together at first but I can see now why the penalty was given. Gary is adamant that there was a connection with his right foot as he was travelling through and it has knocked him off balance. From that point of view, if that is the case, it is a penalty but I have not seen it back.

“I expect a more complete performance on Sunday. I expect us to impose ourselves far more on the game. I have seen us losing headers when we have been inches above strikers. I have seen us not competing for second balls like we normally do in the middle of the park.

“I thought we were negligent in the first half. And that was right across the board. We all win together and we all lose together.

“I thought at least there was some sort of response in the second half but we need to carry that onto Sunday. The plan on Sunday is obviously to make a better fist of it over the 90 minutes and get the result we want.

“Ryan is foolish. He has got to learn. He got himself involved with the first yellow card. I was thinking about taking him off and keeping him for Sunday but then Mackay-Steven has to come off as he took a bang. It looks like he will be out for the game on Sunday. So we will likely be without both of them. Ryan suffers but so do we.

“Right across the board everyone will be hurting.

“It was a poor night for us. It is no consolation that we were better second half. I just thought we were a bit more us in the second half. I thought it was harsh to lose the second half as we were the better team but it was too little too late. The damage was done and there is no doubt Rangers deserved to win the game.”