JOHN HUGHES hopes Ross County will learn the lessons from their Rangers defeat after a 'tough day' at Ibrox.

The Staggies were beaten 5-0 on Saturday as Ryan Kent, Filip Helander, Joe Aribo, Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson found the target for Steven Gerrard's side.

Rangers are now 23 points clear of Celtic at the top of the table as they close in on the Premiership title this term.

At the other end of the standings, County remain embroiled in the battle to beat the drop after a heavy defeat on the back of their fine win against Aberdeen last weekend.

The Highlanders were well beaten on the day but boss Hughes is remaining optimistic as he looks to haul his side away from the relegation zone.

Hughes said: “It’s a tough day for us, but our season won’t get judged on what happens here.

“Everybody was high after the victory last week and we took plenty from it.

“We can still take plenty positives from a defeat, from the basic fundamentals and the way Rangers played the game.

“We were up against a top class team, I hope all my players come back and say ‘that’s how to play football.’

“If you are a professional footballer and you think you are half-decent, after that you should think “I’ve still got a bit to go”.

“You can still take plenty from a defeat. The spirit, attitude, togetherness and willingness to work was all there. I know that’s a solid base I can still build on.

“When you’re playing against a side like Rangers, they can cut you open. At times they did that, but we hung in there.

“There are great lessons to be learned. It’s done and dusted. It was a free hit, and it never worked for us, but we look forward to Motherwell on Wednesday."