STEVEN GERRARD insists Rangers won't concern themselves with the psychological impact of their advantage over Celtic as they look to open up a nine point lead in the title race.

The Gers extended their cushion over their Old Firm rivals last weekend as Neil Lennon's side were held by Aberdeen before goals from Joe Aribo and Jermain Defoe clinched a comfortable victory over Livingston at Ibrox.

Now Gerrard's side make the trip to Rugby Park with the chance to move further ahead at the top of the table as Celtic focus on their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with the Dons on Sunday.

Rangers head into the Kilmarnock fixture on the back of another impressive Europa League win after Alfredo Morelos netted the only goal of the game against Lech Poznan.

And Gerrard won't place undue emphasis on the Premiership standings given that Celtic will have two games in hand come Sunday afternoon.

He said: "It is a quick turnaround. We have to remain focused, move on very quickly from [Thursday] night's performance and win and switch our attention to right tricky game at Rugby Park. But we will be ready. We are in a good place, good form, the staff are happy and we will go there and give it our best.

"I don't think we really need to concern ourselves with psychological advantages and where the tables are and what we can do. We will take each game as it comes, there's three points available. We want the three points, we are hungry for the three points.

"I think it would be different if you had the opportunity to go there and be nine points clear with no games in hand.

"You are talking about Celtic here, in this instance, who are a good team. who are capable of going on big runs. We are still in October, it is very early days for us to be getting carried away or ahead of ourselves

"We have started the season very well. We are happy where we are. The focus is very much on us and what we can do and we take each game as it comes."