Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists he will not try to rush striker Martyn Waghorn back in time for next month's Old Firm derby despite revealing the player is ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury.

The forward damaged knee ligaments during the club's 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock last month with the initial prognosis seeing the former Wigan attacker ruled out for "six to eight weeks".

Warburton says he's received positive news about the Englishman's condition but says the player will only feature if he's 100% fit.

Asked if he would take a chance on the player for April's Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic, Warburton said: "I doubt that because it is not about one game, it is about making sure Martyn Waghorn is fit for the rest of his career.

"So we’re not going to rush him back any earlier. If he is on target and he’s doing well then it is a bonus for us but right now we’re not planning anything about that aspect.

"There’s no need to take unnecessary risk."

Earlier this week, Ibrox boss Warburton expressed his sympathy for his Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila and he expanded on his thoughts during his pre-Morton media conference.

Deila has received flak from supporters for his team's displays and style of play as Aberdeen closed the gap on the reigning champions to a single point having played one game more.

The former Brentford boss said: "I have never met Ronny, I am sure he is very aware of what is involved when you take the job like Celtic or Rangers.

"You set your targets at the start of the season, and one of the targets will be to win the league.

"They have been at the top of the league, they are in a cup semi-final. Everything will be geared towards the European aspect of it, but again, has he had a shocking season?

"I am not going to talk about another club's business but I just feel sympathy that he has achieved on a number of fronts and all I hear is criticism.

"I think a manager like Ronny deserves more than that."