Mark Warburton indicated the sense of occasion could have played a part in Rangers taking a stuttering first step on their Ladbrokes Premiership return.
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“We need one or two more; we’ve said that for a number of weeks but you’ve got to get the right players in”, Warburton told Sky Sports after the game. Warburton said: ‘We’ll see how he presents in the morning but we don’t know yet.
“People maybe just expected us to turn up here and win today and that was not going to be the case”.
Barton will now be hoping that he can build on this strong start to his Rangers career and help the club challenge for the title this season.
The hosts had the ball in the net nearly immediately, but Kenny Miller’s tap-in was disallowed after Waghorn had dribbled out of play before setting up the opportunity.
On-loan Norwich goalkeeper Remi Matthews was making a good first impression for Hamilton on his Premiership bow, pushing away Andy Halliday’s early strike before denying Waghorn.
Hamilton soaked up all the pressure before Crawford handed them a surprise lead.
Anton Kurakins slung a low ball to the back post but Kranjcar’s decision to dive in on the Accies forward proved costly as he cut back onto his left foot before sweeping a delightful finish into the top corner.
But it ended with concern etched across many faces when Waghorn – who topped Rangers’ scoring charts last term – limped off with a hamstring injury.
It took a double substitution in the 61st minute to provide the inspiration for Rangers’ equaliser. Harry Forrester, who replaced the ineffective Niko Krancjar, flighted a ball into the path of Martyn Waghorn who slotted the ball into the back of the Accies net.
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However, despite their late pressure the hosts were unable to mark their return with a win.
