Rangers manager Mark Warburton expressed his disappointment at the 1-0 defeat to Celtic but insisted there was not a gulf in quality between the teams.

A goal from Moussa Dembele separated the sides at Hampden, making it a second successive defeat at Celtic's hands this season but Warburton said signs of progress could be seen in his die's performance.

"We've worked very hard to move forward and gel as a team and I hope you saw that today," he said.

"They scored one goal and we didn't - that's the difference. They took one chance right at the death there.

"It was that type of game where one chance would change it. It was nip and tuck with chances at both ends and that one went in. It was as simple as that.

"The so-called gap is a lot narrower than people think and we have to learn from today's performance."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed his side's display as being on a par with the 5-1 demolition of Rangers in the league but Warburton took the opposite view, saying the game was "tight" and that his squad had taken on lessons.

"We spoke to you guys (media) after Parkhead and said the only solution is to work hard and we've done that," he said. "It was tight right to the death there until the 87th minute.

"We're getting there and the players are understanding what we want and I'm delighted with the progress we've made.

"I think the players have shown their quality. There was no lack of desire, no lack of work ethic or focus.

"The players know what they have to do, they know who they are playing for, the club and the expectation.

"There is a lot of pressure on them but we are getting there. The aim is to work hard and continue that progress."