Hamilton boss Brian Rice says his side gave Rangers too much respect, but was pleased that they didn't capitulate.
Rangers ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at New Douglas Park, with Hamilton reduced to 10 men late on as captain Scott McMann collected a second booking.
Rice says Accies were simply up against a strong Rangers side.
He said: "In the first half we were a bit off the pace and showed too much respect to Rangers.
"We gave their players too much time and space to play around about us.
"When we go up tighter against them in the second half we acquitted ourselves really well.
"We could have capitulated at 2-0 but we didn't. We hung in there and kept going.
"We went man for man at times and it's great credit to them for sticking at it."
Rice added: "I don't think it was a lack of belief in the first half, we just showed them too much respect and sat off them, but when they have two international players sitting in front of the back four it does make it tough.
"We kept at it, put our bodies on the line and we carry on from here."
Rice says McMann was unlucky to see red in the 76th minute for a foul on Brandon Barker.
"He's very unfortunate, it's a nothing challenge from Scott.
"But Willie Collum is a fantastic referee; if he says it's two yellow cards then it's two yellow cards."
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