Steve Lomas says that the financial situation at Rangers is having a detrimental effect on St Johnstone’s ability to plan for next season.

The former West Ham United midfielder has lamented the situation at the Glasgow club and feels that the uncertainty is halting his progress in building his team for next season.

“There’s obviously a lot of unrest at the Glasgow Rangers situation,” he said. “It’s a difficult time.

“We are trying to get contract offers to players that we want but it is probably taking a bit longer than is ideal.

“You would like to have the ones you would want for next season tied up already. Unfortunately with the current climate and the Rangers shadow hanging over everything it’s probably why it has taken longer.”

The Saints travel to Fir Park to take on Motherwell on Saturday knowing that victory is essential if they are to maintain hopes of a third place finish.

A home defeat to Dundee United last weekend saw Lomas’ men fall five points adrift of this weekend’s opponents and the Northern Irishman is only too aware of the importance of a victory over the Steelmen.

“It’s a big week but it’s a great week, this is what you want to be in for, big games, you don’t want the season petering out,” he added.

“That’s what we’ve been trying to get across to the boys that if we win tomorrow we are right back in the mix again so it’s a massive incentive for us.”