Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted the hamstring injury that Jermain Defoe suffered in the pre-season friendly win over Motherwell at Ibrox tonight might have increased the need for him to bring in another striker 

Defoe came on for Alfredo Morelos in the second-half of a match which the Glasgow club won 4-0 thanks to strikes from Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo and a Ricki Lamie own goal. 

But the former England internationalist, who netted 17 times in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign, failed to see out the 90 minutes and is now a doubt for the Premiership match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday week. 

Gerrard revealed last week that he is keen to increase his options up front during the transfer window and conceded the knock Defoe suffered may, even though medical staff are unsure how long he will be sidelined for, make signing a new forward vital.  

"The only disappointment for tonight is obvously Jermain's injury," he told Premier Sports. "We know what it is. We believe it's a hamstring, but when we scan it that is when we find out the extent and how long it will be. In the main I am pleased, it is just Jermain that I am disappointed over. 

Asked if it made getting another striker in more of a priority, Gerrard said: "Possibly, possibly. Forst and foremost we just need to stay calm and find out the extent of the injury, how long it is going to be.

"I went on record last week saying I would like to add in that area, in terms of the firepower. It might push us even more in that direction to try and get something done."