RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard was a relieved man after watching his side battle back from a goal down to defeat St Johnstone 2-1 at the weekend.

A Kemar Roofe penalty and a worldie from James Tavernier sealed the three points for the champions.

There were a number of big talking points after the game as Gerrard spoke to the various media outlets.

Derek Clark gives his verdict on what was said after the game at McDiarmid Park.

Steven Gerrard on the injury sustained by Filip Helander

“I'm concerned about Helander.” He told Sky Sports.

“He's with the doctors now being assessed.

“He's got ice on, he's bandaged up and it doesn't look good.

“But until we scan it in the next 24 or 48 hours we're not sure. Hopefully, he'll pull through but we've got other defenders who will need to step up if we're short.

“I'm hoping Connor will be available for Thursday but if not we'll go with Jack and Leon who are more than capable.”

The one major downside to Saturday’s victory was the injury sustained by Filip Helander, it’s never a good sign to see a player stretchered off and Gerrard will be hoping it’s not as bad as first feared.

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe make the difference against stubborn St Johnstone

His comments post-match suggest the Swede may be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines however which would present a major problem ahead of the Europa League opener with Lyon on Thursday night.

Personally, Helander is Rangers’ best out and out defender so to lose him for any period of time will be a huge blow and given Connor Goldson is self-isolating it poses a major headache but as Gerrard says it gives an opportunity to the likes of Jack Simpson to stake a claim.

Gerrard on Jack Simpson

"Jack Simpson is ready. I had a chat with Jack a couple of days ago and I said, 'look, you keep doing what you are doing and this is on me, as I can't find him enough appearances at the moment." He told Rangers TV.

"But, his opportunity might come on the back of this. Hopefully, Fil is going to pull through, and we obviously get Connor [Goldson] back pretty quickly, but Jack is ready.

"He is a great pro and has been fantastic since the first day of pre-season and is learning all the time.

"I am pleased I have got four top centre halves."

READ MORE: Joe Aribo can break Rangers rules and be the creative spark for 56 - Garry Carmody

Since arriving from Bournemouth in January, it’s fair to say the jury is out on Simpson as a Rangers player. He has featured fleetingly and had to be called upon on Saturday following Helander’s injury but as Gerrard says, depending on the length of time the Swede will be out for, it gives the 24-year-old a chance to impress. Many supporters aren’t sure if he has the attributes to succeed at Ibrox but the onus is on him to change those perceptions and the only way he can do so is impressing on the pitch.

Gerrard’s comments suggest Simpson isn’t too happy with the lack of game time and quite rightly so, a professional of his age should be champing at the bit to play, but like Nathan Patterson, it’s all about keeping players of that ilk content and happy that they will eventually be given a chance and in Simpson’s case, it looks like he now has the chance.

Gerrard on James Tavernier

“In terms of James, that's why he's captain, because of his quality. He steps up in big moments and he's got us three points instead of one today.

“There's a lot of noise around Nathan Patterson who is a fantastic player and who will eventually be Rangers' right back for a long time.

“But you have to remember we've got the best right back in Scotland here right now as well."

Gerrard’s comments regarding Tavernier and Patterson are interesting. He’s right of course, there's been a clamour for Patterson to be given more game time but there won’t be too many who would have him in place of the skipper.

It’s a conundrum that the manager will have to contend with going forward of course but when Tavernier continually pops up with game-changing moments of supreme quality it reinforces the fact he has to play the vast majority of the time.

But Gerrard is correct when he says they have the best right back in Scotland as well as Scotland’s best right back, it’s a real embarrassment of riches in that area of the pitch and can only bode well for the future.