Rangers should use Jermain Defoe next to Kyle Lafferty against St Johnstone

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Rangers host St Johnstone on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership and they need to find a way to win without their star centre-forward Alfredo Morelos.

The Colombian striker has 23 goals in all competitions this season, but is ruled out at the weekend with a suspension.

Steven Gerrard needs a solution to the 22-year-old’s vital absence and knows his team can’t really afford to be dropping points in the title race.

The Light Blues are six points behind leaders Celtic, who have been in formidable form in 2019 and don’t look like slipping up anytime soon.

Rangers need to be positive against sixth-placed St Johnstone, who could prove a tough nut to crack at Ibrox.

Gerrard should opt for a combination of Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty as a two-man strike force.

The pair have not started a league game together since Defoe’s arrival in January, but the potential is there for a lethal combination during the absence of Morelos.

Rangers have found out that Defoe struggles to play the lone striker role, which is why having the more physical alongside him could work wonders.

Defoe is a clinical poacher who has shown during his illustrious career he works well alongside a striker partner and it’s something Gerrard should play on.

The 36-year-old has been directly involved in seven goals in just five games since his January switch, but there is more to come from him and Lafferty could help find extra.