SLICK TIRED

MICHAEL GANNON

m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk “Possibly. You try to get as big a squad as you can when you are in this situation, you know it’s going to take its toll at some point.

“The amount of games we have played is a lot. The challenge now is to try to get as much energy into the players physically and get them right mentally.

“We put a lot into Thursday night without reward and the players were frustrated.

“It’s important we don’t have any hangover and try to approach Sunday as fresh as we can because it’s an important three points.”

Goldson has been one of the constants but the gaffer has tried to shuffle things at the back, with Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall competing for the second centrehalf role. Gerrard said: “Connor is slightly different, we knew we were buying him at his age and where he is at – him being a Premier League defender – it was about building a defence around him and James Tavernier.

“Nikola has been bought for the future but really started well and has taken to life pretty quickly. He is probably further ahead than we thought but he will be managed slightly differently to Connor. Joe was an opportunity, I was aware of him and we were looking for a player who could play on the left side as well.

“But when the opportunity came to sign Gareth McAuley it wasn’t a big financial outlay, he was desperate to come and it made sense to cover our backs.”

McAuley is finally ready to be thrown into the mix, potentially even tomorrow as Gers get ready for the expected Motherwell aerial bombardment. And Gerrard said: “He is a big Rangers fan who wanted this move. He realised it would be a squad player situation, he’s professional and has been patient.

“There will be times when we need his experience and his know-how. That might be from a beginning of a match or to see a game out, or against a certain opponent who might come and try to bombard us.”

Gerrard didn’t need to wink at the camera after that last line. He doesn’t need to point any fingers at the Fir Park men having been given a crash course in the Steelmen’s style in the 3-3 draw in Lanarkshire.

He added: “They’ve had some good results against Rangers in recent years and I’ve analysed that. They will come and be quite physical and direct at times.

“We have to cope with that. We’ll be looking to keep the ball better and make it more about us than Motherwell.”

STEVEN GERRARD