CHARLIE ADAM says Steven Gerrard is desperate to win Sunday’s Old Firm clash to lay down a marker for next season.

Adam knows his former Liverpool team-mate has big plans over the summer to make Rangers a real force next season.

He has spoken to Gerrard to gauge his thoughts on his first campaign as a manager and he knows that second isn’t good enough for the Rangers gaffer.

Adam, who is leaving Stoke City after seven years in the Potteries, has seen a big improvement at Ibrox under Gerrard but he is sure there is much more to come.

The former Rangers star said: “Knowing the manager, he will be happy with some aspects of the progress but he will be disappointed by others.

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“He’s a winner and he wants to win trophies so while second is a decent achievement, he wants better than that.

“It’s the consistency aspect that let Rangers down in the second half of the season – certainly in terms of results.

“So that’s why he will want to finish the season strongly, including this Old Firm game.

“Rangers will rebuild and get stronger so it’s going to be a big summer and hopefully they will be real challengers.”

Adam knows that Gerrard will get rid of those who have not pulled their weight as he strengthens in the coming months.

He said: “Speaking to Steven, he has enjoyed it. He’s had pressure on him since he was 16 years of age.

“He’s been a leader for a number of years so he understands that.

“Management is different because you are the face of the whole group.

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“At times he has had to rally the lads and he has also been very honest.

“If you’re not at your best, you won’t play and that’s the standards that exist at a big club and you have to accept that.

“You need to be at top level in every game and every day in training at Rangers – not just a couple of games a month.

“What he has done as a player has set a standard and he wants to do the same as a manager. Hopefully it comes for him in the coming years.”

Adam could be set to move abroad after cutting his ties with Stoke.

He said: “I’m open to any offers and we’ll see what happens and what comes on the table. I won’t necessarily stay in England. It will be an interesting summer.”