Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BETFRED CUP SEMI-FINAL BRING IT ON Boss Gerrard relishing shot at Celtic in final
STEVEN GERRARD is already savouring his first Old Firm cup final and insisted it is the reason he joined Rangers.
The Light Blues strolled into the Betfred Cup final against arch-rivals Celtic yesterday courtesy of a 3-0 win against Hearts.
Alfredo Morelos scored a second half double to take his tally for the season to 20 after Filip Helander had struck with the opener on the stroke of half-time against the crisis-hit Jambos.
The big two will meet at Hampden on December 8, their first showdown in a domestic final since 2011, also a League Cup final which Rangers won 2-1 courtesy of a Nikita Jelavic extra -time winner.
Gerrard refused to be drawn in-depth on the prospect of facing the Hoops but heaped praise on his players for their semi-final efforts as he declared Morelos is going nowhere in January.
He said: “As Rangers manager you are under constant pressure from game to game. I have to accept that and I’m aware of it but it’s what I’m here for.
“I came here for challenges like today. I really enjoyed the challenge and I will look forward to the final but there will be plenty of time to talk about that.
“It shouldn’t be about me after a performance like that, it needs to be about the players.
“They have come through tricky away games in this competition, on TV against East Fife where they were hoping it would be one of those days when we don’t turn up.
“Then we went away to Livi and the cameras were there again for a tough game, a war we had to go and win. This was yet another tough game against Hearts so the players deserve all the credit.
“I’m delighted, the performance was very strong. We dominated the majority of the game, showed great control and scored the first goal at a very good time just before half-time.
“The game opened up more in the second half and we could show a lot more quality. I thought we looked dangerous every time we went forward. I don’t think anyone can say we don’t deserve to be in the final.”
Morelos was named man of the match after another big performance that featured a brace of goals and also the assist for Swede Helander’s opener.
The Colombian has hinted he could be off in January but Gerrard scoffed at that suggestion.
He said: “I’m not confident Alfredo will be here in January, I’m sure of it. I’m 100% sure he is not going anywhere.
“That’s 20 goals and as far as I’m concerned – and Alfredo’s concerned – we just need to work towards 21.
“I’m sure secretly he will have his own targets, all forwards do. He’s in great form, he’s smiling and happy and he’s producing for his team. He’s contributing heavily and that’s the reason we are so happy to have him.
“It felt ever so different on the side today knowing you have a number nine who is in terrific form and another number nine behind you who is capable on this stage.”