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MARK WARBURTON has enjoyed a smooth ride as Rangers manager.

Over the next few weeks that could change spectacularly.

When Rangers and Celtic’s names came out of the hat together for the Scottish Cup semi-final draw the debate started.

If this goes pear-shaped for his team at Hampden and they lose this one that will surely be the end for the manager.

That is the popular feeling right now.

But here’s the thing. What manager’s situation does that best describe?

The whole world and his auntie thinks it means Ronny Deila but what if the same applies to Warburton?

Nobody has actually flipped the potential impact of this semi-final around.

What happens if Rangers go to Hampden and get thumped 4-0 or 5-0 by an average Celtic team?

I would suggest that puts Warburton right back to square one. Warburton is clearly a smart guy. He’s always talking up the English game, he’s always on the radio down south and it’s clear he’s making sure people keep hearing him in England.

I’m not suggesting there is any sinister motive in that.

But what I am sure about is Warburton’s stock was high when he left Brentford.

The reasons for his departure were unfortunate and quite probably unfair on him.

But he has moved to Rangers and kept that stock rising.

He seems to be still well regarded and good for him.

However, I’d say Warburton isn’t doing anything with Rangers in the Scottish Championship that he shouldn’t be doing.

Let’s not get too carried away as in the main Rangers should be smashing the likes of Alloa, Dumbarton and Livingston with their eyes closed.

The Light Blues under- achieved massively last season and Warburton has come in, calmed things down and simply achieved what he should have league wise and improved the playing personnel.

Hibs and, to a lesser extent Falkirk, are the only real competition in the Championship.

Warburton has beaten them, yes, but he has lost to them both as well.

Win one, lose one for a mid-table finish isn’t going to cut any ice with the Rangers fans when they get back to the Premiership.

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Warburton took umbrage when his team were criticised for losing to St Johnstone in the League Cup earlier this season.

He felt it was ridiculous to have his team subjected to an inquiry after one defeat. Excuse me if I have got this wrong but I haven’t seen him make similar comments about the hysteria that has followed last weekend’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee.

If you don’t want judged on one-off games Mark then I won’t.

I’m looking to judge the Ibrox side over a 38-game programme next season and, with the current squad, they look mid-table.

I’ve said they could possibly beat Celtic in a one-off tie but not over 38 games.

Nor Aberdeen and nor Hearts for that matter.

After the events of last weekend the Rangers fans are euphoric about the opportunity of playing Celtic and I can see their logic.

Deila’s team are toiling badly right now.

I’m not going to go over the same old stuff but I have said they are in a bad way and I can’t see any way back for the Norwegian manager.

Rangers could win but at the same time this under- performing Celtic side could just as easily find their form and go and give Rangers a right hiding.

If they do it gives Warburton a serious problem.

He’s going to know already his team needs serious strengthening for the

Premiership.

One 90-minute win over Dundee doesn’t change that so this is where the backing from the board comes in.

I don’t know how much money Dave King has.

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Maybe he has an unlimited pot of gold under the bed ready to hand to Warburton when he wins promotion.

However, what if he doesn’t?

What if the inability to capture the two targets Warburton identified in January comes back to repeat itself in the summer?

Warburton wanted the Brentford player Toumani Diagouraga but he went to Leeds and the vibe was that Rangers didn’t have the cash to get him and Michael O’Halloran from St Johnstone.

I might be wrong. Maybe they did. But there are Rangers fans who think they didn’t.

You talk all you like about settling-in periods and Rangers being given time by their fans to find their feet in the top-flight again but you and I know that is absolute rubbish.

Are you telling me Rangers fans will be happy with digging in for a point at Inverness to secure a place in the top six next season while Celtic and Aberdeen are 30 points ahead fighting for the championship title? Of course not.

That position would be real pressure for Warburton who seems to get irritated at the slightest thing. And who knows for sure if he’d fancy it?

Speaking about being easily irritated, Warburton was quick to respond to my suggestion any Celtic player would walk into the Rangers side.

I’ve no problem with that. Opinions are what the game is all about.

I actually agree with what he said when he made the Liverpool and Wimbledon comparison, that’s why I would give Rangers a chance in a one-off tie.

He didn’t specify players but that’s obvious. It’s just to boost his own squad and quite right. Like I’ve said he seems a smart man.

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But if Celtic do a serious job on Rangers at Hampden he’s going to need some answers sharpish going into the summer.

Warburton isn’t going to let his stock slide. He’s worked in the city, he knows what a bad deal looks like and when he’ll start to look like a bad investment.

If he sees Celtic and Aberdeen in the distance and no taxis available to get him up the road to join them he might well start thinking about going in another direction.

Put it this way he’s going to be under a pressure he has never experienced at Rangers.

What has gone before will be like a tea party and he’ll have to evaluate whether he’s willing to suffer, especially if offers come from down south at the same time.

Warburton will not be in for the long haul at Rangers but with a trouncing by Celtic and not enough investment in the summer, a smart guy will hedge his bets and head south, where I think he feels he belongs.