Steven MacLean has been speaking to the media before St Johnstone face Rangers in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the key points from the Saints boss:

• The international break came at a good time and allowed the new players to “bed all the ideas in”.

• After a winless league start MacLean says positive results will come and his team will keep improving.

• With players returning from injury MacLean has more options and says there’s "really good competition for places”.

• He is looking for a similar standard of performance against Rangers to the one that earned a point at Celtic Park but is wary of comparing the Old Firm because they "bring different shapes and different things to the game".

• He "won’t rule anything out” despite telling senior players Ryan McGowan, Ali Crawford and Callum Booth they’re not in his plans, adding: “As long as you’re in the building and you train, if an opportunity becomes available you’ll get it."

• Saturday might be too early for Nicky Clark but it’s a boost to have the experienced striker back and he "brings a lot to the table".

• Dan Phillips and Dimitar Mitov have both returned to training following international duty, while Sam McClelland will be back on Friday.

• MacLean is excited to get Sven Sprangler in the squad once he passes his English exam in Austria.