STEVEN GERRARD insists the pressure of defending their Premiership title isn’t weighing too heavily on the minds of his Rangers players this term.

The champions completed the first round of top flight fixtures with a lamentable 2-2 draw at home to Aberdeen on Wednesday evening.

An Alfredo Morelos header and late penalty from James Tavernier cancelled out Christian Ramirez and Scott Brown efforts as the Dons were denied a shock victory.

It was the third time this season - after previously being held by Motherwell and Hearts - that Gerrard’s side have dropped points at Ibrox so far and Celtic are now within touching distance ahead of the trip to Fir Park this weekend.

Rangers have failed to hit the heights of last season as they clinched a historic 55th league crown with an unbeaten Premiership campaign.

But Gerrard doesn’t believe his side are struggling to cope with the pressure of retaining the silverware as he seeks to address the issues that have plagued the Gers in recent weeks.

“I don’t see that on a daily basis,” Gerrard said when asked if the weight of expectation had weighed heavy on his players so far this season.

“I don’t see it in terms of individuals. We have spoken internally about accepting that responsibility and pressure. 

“I think whether you win a league here or you don’t, before you sign on the dotted line you’ve got to accept this is high pressure club that demands winning.

“A draw is no good in any game. A defeat is a crisis. 

“You know what you are signing up for and you have to accept that. I do, and we do. 

“We need to fix a few things in certain areas and I’ve got confidence and belief we’ll do that. 

“It’s not a case of me sitting here thinking we are through a round of fixtures and I’m satisfied and content.

“I’m not. We have to continue to strive to be better.”