Gerrard: Gers have to adapt to play without star striker Morelos

RANGERS manager Steven Gerrard admits they must learn to adapt to the loss of Alfredo Morelos after drawing a blank in the first game of their top goalscorer’s three-match suspension.

Jermain Defoe missed a glorious late opportunity in a goalless draw at Kilmarnock after James Tavernier was denied by Daniel Bachmann from the spot.

Joe Worrall also missed a good headed chance but Gerrard’s men otherwise struggled to carve out chances in the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round tie.

Morelos will be back for the replay but will miss Ladbrokes Premiership games against St Johnstone and Hamilton either side of the February 20 contest at Ibrox. And Gerrard knows they need to find a way to play to Defoe’s strengths.

“They are two different types of players,” he said.

“They are obviously both very strong in front of goal but they are very different so we have to adapt to whoever it is that’s leading the line.

“We also have Kyle (Lafferty) in the running as well, maybe we might decide to go down a different way.

“That’s for me to work out in the coming days and weeks but we are definitely in a stronger position when you think about what position we were in with just two strikers in the first six months.

“I’m delighted to have Jermain here, it gives us more firepower, more options to maybe do different things.”

Gerrard was satisfied to ensure Rangers are i n tonight’s draw, albeit not yet the quarter-finals.

“It’s been a tricky start to 2019,” he said.

“But now we have got a run of fixtures, some at home, a replay in the cup, players have got time to recover, and we get ready for St Johnstone.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.