Defoe played in friendly win over HJK Helsinki
Tuesday 22 January 2019 13:33, UK
Jermain Defoe is set to make his competitive Rangers debut when Steven Gerrard's side return to league action at Kilmarnock.
Defoe, along with Steven Davis, was given a 45-minute run-out in Sunday's 3-2 friendly win over HJK Helsinki at Ibrox.
But both players - made to wait for their Gers bow after last week's Scottish Cup tie at Cowdenbeath was postponed - are set to feature in Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash at Rugby Park as a thrilling race at the top resumes following the winter break.
Rangers are just one point ahead of their third-placed hosts but both could topple Celtic - leading only on goal difference - should the champions be surprised by St Mirren.
"It is a fantastic game and they are breathing down our neck and have done very, very well," said Gerrard, whose side claimed an Old Firm victory last time out. "Steve Clarke has done an amazing job there so from my point of view, I am very excited to see the team play.
"We should be full of confidence and belief after our last result, and we have done a lot of preparation in the last couple of weeks to get ready for this."
Borna Barisic has been passed fit for Rangers. The left-back appeared to limp off at the end of Sunday's friendly clash with HJK Helsinki but Gerrard played down the Croatian's injury in his pre-match news conference.
Centre-back Connor Goldson (foot) misses out and Eros Grezda (ankle) remains unavailable, alongside long-term absentees Jamie Murphy and Graham Dorrans (both knee).
Jordan Jones - who has agreed a pre-contract move to Ibrox - is likely to be in Clarke's Killie line-up but Gerrard insists his side will not be going lightly on the winger.
He said: "We're well aware of Jordan but where we stand right now is that he's a Kilmarnock player, so he's the enemy, he's a rival and that's the way we'll treat him."
