HERE is everything the Rangers manager had to say ahead of Tuesday's trip to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

What is John Souttar going to add to the squad and is there any interest in bringing him in in January?

I’m happy that John is joining us. He is a very good defender, a Scottish international player. I think it’s very important for us we also keep our Scottish identity. He fits perfectly in that role so I’m happy that he will join us for the next season. We’ll have to wait and see what will happen in this window but, as far as I know, we’ll welcome John in the summer.

How much of the sale of Nathan Patterson will you be allowed to reinvest in the squad?

We are happy with the move Nathan had, I think it’s a very good move for him because he has joined a very strong league at a young age so I’m really happy for Nathan. It was also good for the club because of the financial package we will receive. I think there is still a transfer budget we have for this window so we might add a player to the squad, if it’s going to happen, I don’t know but we just have to wait and see how that’ll develop in the coming weeks.

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Who is available tomorrow?

Maybe it’s better to say who will not be available. Aribo will not be in the squad because of the African Cup of Nations. Helander started training with the team this week so I’m really happy for him but the game will come too early for him. Scott Arfield is still not training so he won’t be involved and the same for Steven Davis.

How are Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack progressing?

Kemar and Ryan started training with the team also this week so I’m happy that the injured players are getting back to training with the squad especially with a busy schedule coming up. Whether they will be involved tomorrow, we have to see.

How beneficial has the last few weeks been and what have you been working on?

It’s been very beneficial. It’s been good to give the players a rest which we did and everyone came back fresh on the 5th of January so we had almost two weeks to prepare ourselves for the game tomorrow, for the second half of the season but also more time to work with the players on the pitch and also with team meetings. It was a little bit more in-depth in the way we want to play, the things we have to improve and especially the things we’ve done really well so far.

What was the attraction in recalling Cedric Itten and what will he offer you in that central striker role?

When I came in I assessed the players who were on loan. For me, when you go on loan it has to be beneficial for both, for the player, for their development but also for the club. So for me, it was obvious when Cedric wasn’t playing a lot in Germany, I would rather have him here in this squad instead of being in Germany without even playing. We had a zoom meeting with him and Cedric was very open in the discussions and felt the same way so I’m really happy he’s back now.

It gives me more options upfront because he’s a different type than the players we have. Sometimes you need a player and a striker with his qualities so, in that way, I’m more flexible upfront with the type of players I have.

With talk of postponing the Old Firm game would that not store up more games in the future and also be influenced by injuries and suspensions?

It’s still a long way to go. We’re preparing for Aberdeen and the Old Firm game is in two weeks so a lot can happen in that period. As far as I’m concerned we’re not thinking about postponing the fixture. We know it’s going to be an international calendar coming up, we might lose some players as well but that’s the way it is, we have to take it as it comes.

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In the window, it’s not only one game, it’s three games that has to be played so that is impossible because bringing the break forward the association said it was difficult, leaving no space for postponing games so that will make it difficult as well. You never know how you have to prepare games. Rangers had the first Old Firm day, they missed their first and second goalie, they missed the coach and some other key players so you never know what the situation will be but, as a coach, you have to handle every situation and that’s what I’m going to do when the game comes.

Will Alex Lowry and Leon King be included in the squad for Stirling Albion on Friday?

I’ve had more academy players involved this week so I’m really happy with the academy we have and the talents we have. There will always be times in the season when you can give your academy players a chance to play in the first team and make their debuts and to make sure they know they are on the right path. Hopefully, on Friday we might be able to do that.

What’s your view on Nikola Katic’s prospects at Rangers?

He’s playing a lot now, that’s the main thing you want when players go on loan. I know Ross (Wilson) talked with him in this window but for us, it was never a possibility to bring him back so hopefully, he will continue to develop himself as a player. At the end of the season, we will discuss what the squad is going to be for next season but he is a player who is playing so it’s a different situation for him than for Cedric.