Derek McInnes reveals what Ben Godfrey must do to earn Rangers start

Derek McInnes has explained his decision to introduce Ben Godfrey from the bench during Rangers' 4-0 victory over St Johnstone as the defender continues to wait for his next Premiership start.

Godfrey came on as a second-half substitute at Ibrox as Rangers secured a comfortable victory, with the once-capped England international yet to start a league match since the opening day of the season.

The defender started Rangers' 1-1 draw away to Dundee United but was forced off through injury during the game. Since returning, he has been used from the bench on six occasions, accumulating just 46 minutes of Premiership football.

McInnes on Godfrey's Rangers chances

McInnes has previously stressed the importance of keeping his squad involved, and Godfrey was handed another opportunity against St Johnstone as Rangers managed the game and protected their advantage.

The Rangers boss revealed that the former Everton defender's performances in training were a major factor behind his decision to give the defender minutes.

"I wanted Ben Godfrey to get minutes because I see how he trains; he trains as if it's his last day every day and sometimes you've got to reward that,” McInnes explained.

"You never know, you've got to keep Bojan [Miovski] motivated and hungry that he's got a part to play and you obviously see the two strikers scoring and I wanted [Djiedi] Gassama to come on because he was a bit unlucky not to start so you've got to keep these boys going the right way."

Competition for places at Ibrox

Godfrey arrived at Rangers on a season-long loan from Atalanta during the summer and began the campaign in the starting XI, featuring in the opening-day draw at Dundee United.

However, his injury that evening disrupted his early-season progress and he has subsequently found regular starts difficult to secure.

With competition for places particularly strong, McInnes admitted that managing the squad is becoming increasingly difficult when several players are performing at a high level.

"I can't please everybody; I can't please all the players all the time and I can't please all the supporters who want this player to play and that player to play a wee bit more,” he said.

"It's hard to do that to be honest and sometimes you make subs knowing what's ahead of you with the games coming up and some people need to earn the right to play to get their minutes."

The Rangers boss also pointed to Baderine Bouanani’s recent training performances as an example of players forcing their way into his thinking, while stressing that opportunities must be earned.

"Baderine’s training was brilliant over the last few weeks at a high level and that's why he starts last week something; you've got to reward good training,” he revealed.

Godfrey's latest appearance represents another opportunity for the defender to build his match fitness and put pressure on those currently ahead of him in the pecking order, even if utilized out of position at right back, replacing the imperious Dujon Sterling against the Saints.

With Rangers facing a demanding run of fixtures, including a trip to Hearts before their Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, McInnes will need the depth of his squad to contribute.

Whether Godfrey gets his chance remains to be seen, but if it comes his manager clearly has faith in his to take his opportunity.