Gerrard: Rangers won't get carried away with early form

Steven Gerrard has played down the potential impact of Rangers stretching their lead at the top of the table – saying Celtic are capable of putting together a strong run in the title race.

The Ibrox side are currently six points ahead in the Premiership, though their rivals have a game in hand, and could make it a nine-point gap if they beat Kilmarnock on Sunday while Celtic are on Scottish Cup duty.

Gerrard believes that even if his side are successful at Rugby Park and continue their impressive form, the imbalance in number of games played means it would be foolish to read too much into the table.

“I don’t think we really need to concern ourselves with psychological advantages and where the tables are and what we can do,” he said.

“There’s three points available, we want the three points, we are hungry for the three points.

“It would be different if you had the opportunity to go there and be nine points clear with no games in hand.

“You are talking about Celtic here, in this instance, who are a good team, who are capable of going on big runs.

“We are still in October, it is very early days for us to be getting carried away or ahead of ourselves. We have started the season very well. We are happy where we are.

“It is a quick turnaround. We have to remain focused, move on very quickly from last night’s performance and win and switch our attention to a right tricky game at Rugby Park.

“But we will be ready. We are in a good place, good form, the staff are happy and we will go there and give it our best.”

The Rangers manager made five changes to his side for the 1-0 win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday and could reshuffle his pack again for the challenge against Kilmarnock.

Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Jack both suffered knocks in the European game and Gerrard will do a roll call before formulating a plan to beat Alex Dyer’s side.

“First and foremost we have to see who is available today then we will decide on a team who is capable of going there and get the three important points that we need,” he said.

“When you are playing against the block, you have to have variety in our play.

“Obviously I don’t want to give too much away but it is important you move the ball quick and you have variety in your play so you are not predictable and not everything is in front of the Killie defence.

“You have to go over at times, you have to go round and make sure that when your opportunities come that you are really clinical because Killie are a team that is well-drilled, organised and don’t give much away.

“The pitch certainly helps them to play that way as well. So we know it is a tricky game, a tough place and we know that our record could and should be better at Rugby Park.

“But it is another fresh game, it is an opportunity to go there and try and put in a good performance.

“We couldn’t be in a better place really, because our form is good at the moment, people are healthy, fresh and ready.”