RUMOURS that Mark Warburton might part company with Rangers swept Glasgow yesterday before the Ibrox club’s managing director Stewart Robertson stepped in to confirm that the board are making the Englishman and his assistant David Weir a tremendous offer.

Some rumours had Warburton off to Derby County with Weir taking over the managerial hot seat, but these reports have been dismissed as “mischief making” and “unfounded rumours” in other quarters.

There was nothing rumoured or unfounded about Robertson’s declaration of intent which followed reports that Rangers were prepared to double the salaries of Warburton and Weir to guide the Ibrox club as they return to the top flight of Scottish football.

The MD admitted that he could see why Warburton and Weir were targets for English clubs.

He said: “Mark and Davie have done a fantastic job. We want to see them both stay here for as long as we can.

“In any walk of life, if somebody is doing well they attract suitors. We need to address that so we will do what we have to do to make sure Mark and Davie stay here for a long time.”

Robertson hopes this week’s signing of midfielder Joey Barton from Burnley will also help persuade Warburton his long-term future should lie north of the Border.

“It’s a big statement of intent from the club,” he said. “We always said the season just gone was about promotion. That was the key objective.

“We now need to add quality and some depth to the squad that is there to make sure we have a proper go at competing for the Premiership title next season.

“There is no doubt Joey Barton brings huge value to Rangers and it will be the same with any other player we bring in, they need to represent value

.”