Rangers manager Walter Smith admits he was too harsh on his players after their Scottish Cup draw against Dundee United.
Smith criticised his side`s "slackness" after they let slip a two-goal lead on Sunday to consign themselves to a quarter-final replay at Tannadice.
But ahead of this weekend's Co-Operative Insurance Cup final against St Mirren, he said: "It`s very difficult, after the games sometimes feelings run a little bit high."
With a 13-point lead over Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the Rangers manager feared complacency could creep into their game amid talk of the treble. But he has no concerns over his players` attitude ahead of this Sunday's game.
Since their defeat in last year`s Old Firm final, Rangers have only lost once to a Scottish team, against Aberdeen in November, and Smith feels his post-match comments were unfair.
He added: "In the end, how can I complain? The level of desire my players have shown this season has been fantastic.
"To lose one domestic game in a year is a tremendous achievement, whether it`s spread over two parts of a season or otherwise.
"You can`t question their attitude. I was a bit frustrated we didn`t see the game out and allied to the fact that, since we beat Celtic, everyone's perception of what`s going to happen for the rest of the season is made up, and I don`t think that`s a realistic one.
"I think there is a lot of football to be played in the league and the cups. I just made sure all our boys were aware of that.
"They are, because they are experienced enough and they know how to handle it. It was maybe just a little bit of frustration on my own part that we never managed to see out the game."
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