‘young gem‘ Zelalem ahead of Hibs showdown
as we can and make sure everything is right logistically.
“He’s a creator. He is slight in frame but he is a very clever footballer. He’s got work to do and he is nowhere near the finished article so that’s why he’s coming to us to continue his development and I’m sure it will work out well for us.”
Warburton has a proven track record from his time at Brentford working with loaned players and he believes that it can be beneficial to all parties.
He said: “I’m a huge supporter of the loan market.
“If you get it right it’s of enormous benefit to all concerned.
“I don’t see it as a negative. If we are developing a player and he’s getting better then he’s playing well for us.
“We had Alex Pritchard from Spurs last year and he played 44 or 46 games and now he will kick on to the Spurs first team.
“He developed because of the loan. He is an asset who has increased in value and we got the benefit of his quality for the whole season.
“We have to show these clubs that we can look after their assets but we have good trust.”
Warburton has won all five of his competitive matches and Rangers can pull six points clear of Hibs by winning tomorrow in front of a sold-out Ibrox which would be a significant margin even this early.
However, he was at pains to play the match down.
He added: “It’s just another game. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. You don’t get five points for winning on Sunday.
“It will be a packed house and that’s credit to the players for the results they’ve got, but it will still be three points. We have to recognise it’s a long season and be the best we can be in each match.”
Warburton also insists he will have a drink with Stubbs after the game despite the verbals earlier this week when he reacted to claims that being Rangers manager is easy because of the budget.
He added: “My job is to defend Rangers Football Club and if someone says something derogatory then I will always defend it, but it’s water under the bridge.
“We’ll share a drink post-game as we do with all the managers and coaches.” GOALKEEPER Owain Fon Williams says he feels right at home with Inverness because there is nothing to divert his attention away from Caley Thistle’s league plight.
The Welsh stopper made a summer switch to the Highlands from Tranmere. Raised in the remote village of Penygroes in the north-west of Wales, Fon Williams claims his new city – last year voted the happiest place to live in Scotland – reminds him of home.
But he also believes residing in the Ladbrokes Premiership’s northern outpost will benefit his on-field prospects because there is little else to focus on other than helping John Hughes’ side move up the table.
“As a city, it’s a fantastic place to live,” said the 28-year-old. “There are no distractions but what more do you want? As footballers you want a clear head. You want to be focused every day on improving. So Inverness is great for that. It’s a really nice city. No matter where you look it’s just beautiful.
“I was brought up in a very similar place myself, so I haven’t had to adapt at all because it feels like second nature. It’s been easy.
“In terms of the football, it’s been great too. Everything is kept tight in the dressing room and I feel we’re getting better every day we go along.”
Hughes will want his players to concentrate even more of their focus on turning Inverness’ fortunes around after a disappointing start to the new campaign. They sit joint bottom of the table alongside Kilmarnock and St Johnstone with just two points from the first four games.
Hamilton at home are next up today and Accies midfielder Grant Gillespie is looking to add further to the Scottish Cup holder’s early-season woes.
He said: “We know it is hard to emulate what we did the season before, for them it is on a higher scale, after winning the Scottish Cup and qualifying for Europe. Their fans will be expecting the same if not more but I wouldn’t read too much into it.
“John Hughes is a good manager, he will know what is needed to be done but hopefully we can go up there and add more misery to their season so far.”