MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 03:23:25| >> :120:24121:24121:

Gerrard satisfied with Helsinki run out for Defoe and Davis

Gerrard satisfied with Helsinki run out for Defoe and Davis
© Reuters
The postponement against Cowdenbeath forced Gerrard to change his plans.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard feels Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis will benefit from their Ibrox run-out after the new signings played 45 minutes of a 3-2 friendly win over HJK Helsinki.

The game afforded Gerrard the opportunity to get his players some much-needed game time after Friday's William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Cowdenbeath was postponed.

Gerrard made 11 changes at half-time and saw his side overcome striker Alfredo Morelos' former team thanks to goals from Scott Arfield, Nikola Katic and Daniel Candeias  in front of 21,224 fans.

Gerrard told Rangers TV: "My initial plan was to go strong against Cowdenbeath and then give people more minutes. With that game getting called off it was important to play two teams and make sure everyone got 45 minutes into their system.

"We had a really tough session (Saturday) so I can accept them being a yard off. I thought we were a little bit late in the press and a little bit weak in the tackle.

"Jermain and Steven would have started the game on Friday against Cowdenbeath so it is great for them to get a feel for Ibrox, again in Steven's case.

"To get 45 minutes in the bank, when they haven't played much football of late, will do them the world of good."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '152d4d25-f7e9-445c-99bf-e901271b9e0e');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Gerrard satisfied with Helsinki run out for Defoe and Davis'});

ID:347436: cacheID:347436:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3396:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gareth McAuley pictured playing for Rangers in December 2018
Read Next:
McAuley confident Rangers will not royally mess up Cowdenbeath cup clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!