STEVEN Gerrard insisted last night that Rangers would be able to cope during a potentially-pivotal January transfer window without a director of football – as the club weigh up their options when it comes to replacing the departed Mark Allen.

Seven days on from the shock exit of the former Manchester City executive Allen, the Englishman said last night that he was unaware of any developments as to finding a successor.

Ross Wilson, the Southampton director of football operations, who rebuffed the club’s approaches prior to the appointment of Allen back in 2017, is one man who could come back under the radar, although he would need to be convinced that the project is enticing enough to persuade him to leave the South Coast.

While Gerrard himself is expected to be consulted in the next weeks and months on the subject, he insisted that the club are well covered in the recruitment department by the likes of chief scout Andy Scoulding and would be in a position to deal with the winter window whether or not Dave King or the board provide a like-for-like replacement.

“As far as I'm aware, there hasn’t been any movement,” said Gerrard, ahead of today’s meeting with St Johnstone. “I've been focusing on the two games, Livingston and Feyenoord, and the important thing for me is that myself and my staff can continue to do what we are trying to do.

“Recruitment has been something we have all dealt with together,” he added. “It is not just Mark and Andy and his team. We've all come together to try to strengthen the squad and the team. And we will continue to try to identify people.

“I am sure there are things happening in the background if the club decide that yes they definitely want to replace Mark,” added Gerrard.

“But I am sure we would be fine [in January]. The recruitment team is still in place, there won't be much change moving forward. I don't predict that we will be bringing numerous options in during the next window anyway but time will tell.

"Mark was a massive support for me and certainly helped me in a lot of areas. I still feel like there is a bit of a void, but that is because of the relationship I had with him. I am very loyal in the relationship I have with people, that's the way I am, the way I will always be. So it is natural I feel there is a bit of a void there. But in terms of are they going to recruit or find another guy, that will be a decision for Dave King and the board.”