Gerrard: Door isn’t closed for Edmundson and Jones

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has said that George Edmundson and Jordan Jones have shown remorse for breaking coronavirus rules and he will work to bring them back to the first team.

The pair were caught at a house party in Glasgow, in breach of clear rules to prevent the spread of the virus.

Rangers immediately suspended the pair and they went through an internal disciplinary process, and on Thursday the Scottish FA handed down a seven-game ban for breaking their rules.

The indiscipline has sparked speculation about the future of both players at Ibrox, but Gerrard said that having spoken to the players face to face, he would now support them as they worked their way back to contention for a first-team place.

“The important thing was to get the players out of the isolation period, first and foremost,” the Rangers boss said. “Then it was to sit down with them face to face and gauge a reaction, see how they feel and where they were at.

“I spoke to them individually. They were both sad and remorseful and apologetic, full of regret.

“They first and foremost wanted to apologise to the supporters and their teammates for their actions.

“In my position it was time to support them, once I had seen that reaction that I wanted to see.

“Now it’s about support and managing them back to being top players. They’re good players and we need them here to help us moving forward.

“They’ve gone about it in the right way since accepting their punishments. We’re pleased yesterday’s hearing is out of the way and now we’ll get these players back to where they need to be.”

Gerrard has welcomed his players back after the international break and said that “the majority” had returned with no injury complaints, though Bongani Zungu is a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Aberdeen.

The manager, who congratulated his player Ryan Jack along with the Scotland squad and staff for reaching the Euros, said that he hoped to be able to continue his side’s run of form after domestic football was put on pause for two weeks.

He anticipates a tough return to action against an Aberdeen side that has only suffered one defeat in 11 Premiership games since losing to Rangers on the opening weekend.

“It’s another tough challenge,” he said. “The rivalry speaks for itself and it’s a big game. Both teams are in good form.

“I think it’ll be different to the one on opening day. Both teams might look different in terms of personnel.

“It’s a mouth-watering match and one we’re looking forward to.”