IT is a shame that Rangers can’t go and build on the Old Firm win by playing again quickly but I think the break has come at a good time for Steven Gerrard and the squad.

I think the amount of games has taken its toll on some players in recent weeks. Playing 35, 36 fixtures at this stage of the season is tough, there is no doubt about it, but you need to have that mentality to be able to get through it. You don’t need to play well in every single game, but you still get through them and you still win them.

It is a chance to put the feet up for a couple of days and then get ready mentally and physically for what will be a really tough run-in this season.

If Steven can get a couple of fresh faces in, that will ensure nobody gets complacent and it will give everyone a real boost.

That freshness filters all the way through the squad and can be really important, especially if you can get them in early and they can use the trip to bond into the group.

The winter shutdown will also be beneficial for the manager as well. Given the hectic schedule they have had in recent months, he hasn’t had that much time with the players to really work on things.

Now he has a chance to go away and train in the sun and work on shape and tactics and really fine tune things for the second half of the season.