MARK WARBURTON has told Alan Stubbs to mind his own business after reacting to the Hibernian manager's claim that Rangers should be leading his side in the Ladbrokes Championship because their budget is "at least four times bigger".
The Ibrox head coach became involved in a mild spat with Stubbs earlier this season after the one-time Celtic defender had stated that his job in transforming the fallen Glasgow club was "very easy" because of the money he had to spend on new players.
He has responded again in the wake of Stubbs' remarks over the respective budgets of the sides in the immediate aftermath of Hibs' 2-1 home win over Rangers earlier in the month, which reduced the gap between the sides in the league to just five points.
"One, I'm not sure where they are finding their information out from," said Warburton. "They are just picking numbers out of the sky.
"Two, I heard previously that managing Rangers was a really easy job, apparently. That's what I was told earlier.
"In that respect, I think it's really important you talk about your own club. That's not being rude.
"All I am saying is that I will answer questions about Rangers. I wouldn't for the life of me talk about another football club for the wrong reasons.
"If you are going to ask about budgets, we had a smaller budget at Brentford last year. We came fifth in the Championship, so it's not always about the size of your budget. It's about how you best utilise it.
"I am digressing. Again, the focus is talk about your own team."
Stubbs will lead his Hibernian side into action against Livingston tomorrow night with the opportunity there to put even greater pressure on Rangers at the top.
Following this month's victory over Warburton's side at Easter Road, he was full of praise for his side and clearly believes they are capable of going toe-to-toe with their Glasgow rivals.
"We're close to Rangers and you've got to remember that their budget is significantly bigger than anyone else in the league," said Stubbs. "I'd say it's at least four times bigger than ours, so they should be out there in front.
"They've had a fantastic start, so for us to only be five points behind speaks volumes about how we've done."
Warburton insists that the five-point gap between Rangers and Hibernian has to be put into context, though.
Hearts were widely described as runaway winners of the division last term, but the Rangers manager points out that his side is currently boasting a greater points tally at this stage of the season than the Tynecastle side enjoyed last term.
"Let's be honest, the players read what the media produces," said Warburton. "They'll see: 'It's a disaster you're only five points clear at the top'.
"That's what we said to them. Everyone would agree that Hearts ran away with it last year.
"Danny Wilson and Jason Holt were sitting there. We asked if they felt Hearts ran away with it, everyone agreed and we pointed out we are one point better off than they were at this stage.
"That's how bad we are doing. That's just us saying to the players not to lose confidence or the belief in what you are doing.
"You're doing okay right now. You've lost one game of football and that was a game we felt we should have got something out of."
"Hibs have done well. Really well. They've hit a good run of form. They've got momentum and self belief and there is no doubt about that.
"That's great. They get on with their business, but our only focus here is Rangers Football Club.
"At this high level of football, to put a run together is an achievement and any team that does it deserves credit.
"We know what we've got to do. We've got to win games of football, that's our job.
"When we pull the jersey on we're expected to win.
"The weight of expectation is very clear up here.
"The players know it and they have got to enjoy that responsibility. Don't crumble under it, enjoy it and go and achieve it."
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