Rangers boss Mark Warburton plays down rivalry with Hibs counterpart Alan Stubbs
Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists there are no cracks in his relationship with Hibernian counterpart Alan Stubbs.
The men in charge of the Ladbrokes Championship's two leading clubs have engaged in a tetchy war of words since Warburton took up his post in the summer.
First there was the spat over Gers' attempts to sign Scott Allan, while Stubbs has attempted to turn up the heat on the table-toppers since inflicting the Ibrox side's first league defeat under Warburton's reign earlier this month by claiming a budget four times the size of their rivals means the Glasgow giants should be out in front.
But Stubbs this week appeared to play down the simmering row by admitting: "We're in an entertainment business - we have to make things entertaining."
And Warburton, whose side take a two-point lead and a game in hand into Saturday's trip to Livingston, agreed there was no feud.
"It's just tongue in cheek," said the Englishman. "There's no problems with Alan. We shared a drink after the last game with the staff. We talked about the game and got on well.
"It's the media. It's about rivalry. It's about making headlines and getting excitement, and that's great. It's a competitive world we work in.
"But we respect all these teams. There's no easy games in this league, that's for sure. If you don't prepare well you pay the price."
The Gers are two points clear with a game in hand at the top of the Championship table and have been given a further boost with veteran striker Kenny Miller agreeing to extend his current contract by a year.
Goalkeeper Cammy Bell is still out injured, as is Nicky Law but the club's international players will all return to the squad.
Livingston are without five key players but are hoping to get back on track in the league after only two wins in the last six.
Darren Cole (knee), Craig Sives (back), Danny Mullen (hamstring), Moses Duckrell (thigh) and Ryan Currie (foot) are all ruled out for the home side.
Gary Glen is available for selection after shaking off a knock and is expected to go straight back into the starting XI.
Source: PAR
