Steven Gerrard admits Rangers could be short of options up front with Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty injury doubts for St Johnstone clash

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard could face a major headache up front for the visit of St Johnstone.

The Ibrox boss revealed in a press conference today that strikers Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty are both doubts for the game due to injury, while Alfredo Morelos is suspended following a red card in Rangers’ last league outing against Aberdeen.

Teenager Dapo Mebude has been recalled from international duty with Scotland’s Under-19s in a bid to fill the void, while wingers Glenn Middleton or Ryan Kent could be shifted into a more central role.

Gerrard said: “Defoe has had tightness in his hamstring, Lafferty has had tightness in his calf. They will do part of the session today and hope they come through. We have pulled young Dapo Mebude back from international duty just in case.

“It’s a concern losing strikers but we have good attacking players, we will see how the next few hours go and hope they both pull through. I’ll give them both every chance. I won’t take a gamble if it means putting their bodies at risk.”

Gerrard praised the potential shown by Mebude, although he admitted the 17-year-old probably isn’t ready to be a starting pick.

“I think young Dapo has a huge future,” he said. “He has big potential, he is probably not ready to be thrown into the deep end just yet but I think he will be ready for a cameo. There is no doubt about it he will play for Rangers at some point.”