Steven Gerrard warns his Rangers fringe players they'll be moved on if they "spit the dummy out"

Gerrard took his total number of signings in January to five in the final hours of the window on Thursday night when a £50,000 deal was agreed with Ladbrokes Premiership strugglers Dundee for Glen Kamara.

Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, who both signed 18 month loan deals, and Andy Firth and Matt Polster are the other players who moved to Govan last month.

The Liverpool and England great, whose team take on bottom-placed St Mirren at Ibrox in the Premiership this afternoon, admitted he is pleased to have competition for places in every position now.

But the 38-year-old has also stressed he won’t tolerate any players who aren’t getting a regular game spreading disharmony in the dressing room as Rangers bid to depose Celtic as Ladbrokes Premiership champions and win the William Hill Scottish Cup in the coming months.

“That is a good problem for me,” said Gerrard. “I had to pick a starting XI and an 18 for the St Mirren game and there are a few people going to be outside that. It’s not personal. It doesn’t mean I don’t rate them.

“We also have a midweek game and another big cup game next weekend. The fixtures are coming thick and fast, but I’m paid to make tough decisions, big decisions.

“At times someone’s ego might be a bit dented, but they have to accept that and get on with that. I will try and manage that. That is my job. The man management side is really big and important.

“What I won’t have is someone’s ego getting in the way, is a bad influence around the group or spits the dummy out. I don’t mind players being disappointed if they are not in the 11 or 18. I actually respect them more for that.

“But if I feel it is affecting the group then they won’t be around. It’s as simple and blunt as that. I won’t have any bad eggs around.”

Kamara had signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers earlier this month along with Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones and was due to move to Ibrox at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

But Gerrard was delighted to get the former Arsenal youth, who has played for Southend United and Colchester United on loan as well as Dundee in the past three years, on board earlier than expected.

“It was a massive bonus for us,” he said. “I made it clear a few weeks ago how happy I was to get the pre-contract agreed and I was really looking forward to Glen’s arrival in the summer.

“But then the phone went at 9pm on Thursday to say it was going to be happening, so I was absolutely delighted.”

Gerrard added: “I’m a big fan of the player. He’s a midfielder who plays with his head up and he’s always looking to pass forward. He’s athletic, he’s capable of regaining the ball, he’s had a real good schooling at Arsenal as a kid and his previous coaches have done a good job.

“Now it’s my responsibility to help him grow, learn and improve. I’m very confident he can go to the next level.”

Gerrard added: “In terms of numbers we are getting really healthy in that department which is good and strong. It gives me different options to play in different ways with different personnel and that's the way it should be at a big club.

"There should be competition for places in every area and that's what we are trying to build here, so I am really pleased with the business we have done in January. I feel like we have added good quality and you can see the lads now - they are a little bit edgy now with the numbers and the quality we have.

"They know they have to play well and train well to stay in to get an opportunity and that's what I like."

"I am delighted with the backing I have had from the board and the chairman. I think you can see clearly what we are trying to build. We believe we have taken huge steps forward but at the same time we still have to learn and grow and become more consistent.

“We have got young Matt Polster from the MLS. He's in his off-season in terms of timing and he will take a bit longer to get up to speed and we will give him that patience.”