Steven Gerrard has explained the absence of James Tavernier from today's 2-1 win over Hibs at Ibrox.

The Rangers captain was replaced in the starting line-up by Nathan Patterson with the youngster performing well in his stead.

The Ibrox side won the game after goals from Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos clawed back the advantage the Leith side gained when Kevin Nisbet nodded the opener.

Gerrard admitted after the game he has overused right-back Tavernier in his first three years at the club.

And he's adamant that using Patterson, widely regarded as a generational talent, in some games will benefit Tavernier in the long term.

Gerrard said: "It was difficult (to leave the captain out) and I think it would have surprised a lot of people, which I appreciate, but Tav is capable of playing 60-65 games a season.

"I know he is because he is a machine and he is very robust but he had an injury at the back end of last season and as a manger and as a staff we feel in our first three years we have overused James.

"We've had back-ups to come in and offload him, but we haven't had back-ups the quality of Nathan Patterson who is a Scottish international. We have just as much trust in James as we have Nathan and vice-versa.

"We want maybe less games out of James, but more quality and foot to the floor. I believe that will help him career wise and it will certainly help the group.

"The boys have to trust us and hopefully it will certainly pay dividends at the end of the season."