STEVEN GERRARD reckons the competition for places in his Rangers squad will drive the Light Blues on in the coming weeks and months.
The Ibrox boss made several changes to his starting line-up for the Betfred Cup quarter-final with Ayr United on Wednesday night and saw the Gers run out comfortable 4-0 winners at Ibrox.
Keeper Wes Foderingham returned in goal, while Joe Worrall made his home debut and Andy Halliday captained the team and filled in at left-back.
There were also starts for Glenn Middleton, who marked his first start for Rangers with a well-taken brace, Ross McCrorie and Graham Dorrans.
Midfielder Jordan Rossiter came off the bench as he returned to action following a lengthy lay-off, while Eros Grezda made his second appearance following his move from Osijek last month.
And boss Gerrard is pleased with the strength and depth he has in his ranks as Rangers look to build some momentum at home and abroad this term.
He said: “There were a lot of positives and the squad is getting back healthy in terms of the players that have been out.
“I am going to have some headaches in terms of picking elevens and picking eighteens, but it is a good problem to have as a manager.
“I think the important thing now is that players really perform on a daily basis and push themselves to stay in the frame.
“The last thing you want to do now is play your way out of the team and the squad because the competition is going to get tough.”
The other switch that Gerrard made against the Honest Men saw youngster Stephen Kelly make his competitive debut for Rangers as he took over from McCrorie in the second half.
Gerrard has promoted a number of Under-20 players to his first team ranks in recent weeks as he runs the rule over the best youth products at the Hummel Training Centre.
And he will continue to give the Colts a chance to prove themselves if they can earn their place amongst the Gers squad this season.
“We have got an excellent Academy and we have got excellent staff there,” Gerrard told RangersTV.
“And there is no point in them being part of Rangers or in the building if they are going to produce players and I don’t use them at the right time.
“Of course, those Academy players have got to be good enough and we need to keep producing players but if I turn my back or don’t give them the opportunity when the time is right then there is no point in having an Academy.
“At the right times, and if I can, I will try and give people opportunities and a chance to impress and I thought Stephen Kelly did alright.”
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