Rangers face Livingston on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
Thursday 24 January 2019 11:51, UK
Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch backs Jermain Defoe to get even better with more game time in the Scottish Premiership.
Defoe scored his first goal for Steven Gerrard's side in their 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.
Despite scoring in the 12th minute, Defoe was subbed in the 79th for Kyle Lafferty but McCulloch believes the 36-year-old striker will be a force to be reckoned with once he is match fit.
"I think that is the most difficult thing [being match fit] for Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis is getting them match and performance minutes," he said.
"The Scottish Cup game against Cowdenbeath was called off and they had a friendly here at Ibrox where I think they both played for a half but it's not really enough if you haven't played this season.
"I think it will still take two, three, four games to get match sharpness but I think Jermain Defoe does what Jermain Defoe does and that's put the ball into the back of the net.
"The ball fell to him [on Wednesday] and it just went into the back of the net - that is a positive for him.
"I thought Steven Davis was great but I still think that match sharpness can come back and can increase the team's chances."
Rangers now sit third in the Scottish Premiership three points off current leaders Celtic, who have a game in hand, and two points off of Steve Clarke's Kilmarnock.
They are only above Aberdeen on goal difference after Derek McInnes' side beat Hamilton 3-0.
Asked about the title race, McCulloch stated you cannot rule out Aberdeen and Kilmarnock to mount a title challenge.
He added: "There is a four-horse race here that is ever so tight. Celtic has a game in hand where they could create a little gap but it is really, really exciting for Scottish football."
Rangers play Livingston on Sunday at the Tony Macaroni Arena at 4pm, live on Sky Sports.
