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Daily Record
Sport
Chris Doyle

5 things we spotted at Rangers training as Nikola Katic looks to win back starting spot

Rangers didn't have long to enjoy their win against Feyenoord last night with the Ibrox side straight back on the training pitch to prepare for the weekend.

The games are coming thick and fast as the Europa League group stages got underway and it's all about the next game as the season gets in full swing.

Steven Gerrard 's men will take on St Johnstone as they travel to Perth for Sunday's lunchtime kick-off.

Here's 5 things we noticed from today's session at the Hummel Training Centre as Gerrard and his coaching staff prepared their players for the Saints clash.

Defoe to start

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

Alfredo Morelos put in a brilliant shift last night and was a constant thorn in Feyenoord 's side.  He was almost unplayable in the first half, but it seemed like tiredness creeped into the Colombian's game towards the end of the match.

Steven Gerrard has been known to rotate his strikers after European games and this weekend could be the perfect opportunity for Jermain Defoe to come back into the fold and give Morelos a well deserved rest.

Defoe has been in good form himself and his fresh legs should cause the Saints defence plenty of problems. It makes sense to holster Morelos, keep him on the bench and use him only if Rangers need to.

Katic or Helander?

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

Rangers fans were fairly bamboozled by Gerrard's decision to drop Nikola Katic last night after his impressive start to the season. 

It was a bold move from the Ibrox boss, but it undoubtedly paid off as Filip Helander put in his best performance in a Rangers shirt to date.

Gerrard said he dropped Katic for tactical reasons, but with Helander's effective display and his £3million price tag, does the Swede keep his place in the starting XI?

It would be extremely harsh on Katic, but he was playing well this time last year when Gerrard opted for Joe Worrall and Connor Goldson through the middle part of the season.

The young defender looked determined this morning to regain his place in the squad for Sunday's match.

Andy the answer?

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

Andy King has made four appearances for Rangers since his loan move from Leicester City, but they've all been off the bench so it's difficult to judge his performances. 

Perhaps this weekend is where Gerrard hands the 30-year-old his first start. Rangers' midfield is as competitive as they come, but there's a reason why the Ibrox boss brought him to the club so he should be handed a chance soon enough.

King had his game face on and was keen to prove he should be given the nod in Perth.

All smiles

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

It's been a long week for the club with the passing of club legend Fernando Ricksen , closely followed by the Feyenoord victory.

It was a fitting tribute to the former Dutch defender and although it's a very sad time for the club, the camp were in high spirits.

It appears the players and the staff have great chemistry with one another and perhaps this past week is one they'll look back on as an important one come the end of the season.

Gerrard gets involved

(Alan Harvey/SNS Group)

Stevie G's playing career might be over, but we know he's still got something left in the tank.

He's been to known to get involved with his players in training sessions in the past and today it appears he was at it again.

Was he playing a game of 5-a-side or just showing the squad a training drill? Either way, his hands-on coaching is something the players are a huge fan of and even after a crucial win last night, he's right back on the training field trying to improve the players and the team.

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