GARY MCALLISTER insists Rangers won't use their Covid-impacted Old Firm build-up as an excuse ahead of Sunday's showdown with Celtic.

The champions were without the services of several key players, and manager Steven Gerrard, for the Europa League draw with Alashkert that booked their spot in the group stages.

Lyon, Sparta Prague and Brondby now lie in wait in the coming months as Rangers look to make their mark on the continent once again this term.

But it is the first Old Firm clash of the campaign that is now of paramount importance as Gerrard's side aim to kick start their campaign with a derby win.

A handful of first team stars are expected to return to action at Ibrox and McAllister knows Rangers must deal with all challenges on and off the park.

McAllister told talkSPORT: "Whoever is in charge and whichever players are available, we go into the game looking forward to it. We'll be totally committed and well prepared.

"The fact we stayed overnight means the players got a good warm down, we controlled their food intake, they had a good sleep and now we take our time getting back to Glasgow and can turn our attention to the Old Firm.

"The build-up to this game is always the same. I can feel it all the way over here in Armenia.

"If this game doesn't get your juices going, there's something wrong with you. Our players will be bursting to get on that pitch, whoever is available. Everybody is itching for this game.

"We have a few players coming back. It's been a wee bit disjointed this season - players coming back late from the Euros and Copa America, players coming back from red zones.

"But those are issues every club has had to deal with and we don't use them as excuses. But it has stopped us from getting any rhythm.

"Steven, the gaffer, hasn't been able to pick the same team twice. We don't have a settled 11 on the pitch, but people are coming back now and niggly injuries are getting better.

"People are coming back from Covid issues, so things are just starting to come back together and we'll be strong at the weekend."