Jones can be a key Gers man

Ibrox with Blackburn, Stoke and QPR among the English sides in the frame but was given the chance to fight for his future in his first start since January.

Gerrard said: “I had a feeling Jordan was going to play well because he was in a good place when he came on Thursday.

“He had his cameo at Hibs, Ianis Hagi had played five or six games on the spin so it was nice to be able to offload him.

“That’s the Jordan Jones I want to see and I won’t accept anything less than that because those are his attributes and if he brings that to the table he’s going to be a big help to us.”

Gerrard was thrilled with his side’s sensational return to Premiership business on the back of their Europa League win against Willem II on Thursday.

There was no hangover as James Tavernier netted two spot-kicks and Cedric Itten got off the mark with a late double.

Gerrard said: “I’m very pleased with it, our standards throughout were top.

“We got comfortable early when we scored the third and I was happy the level never dropped. I had the chance to get people off the pitch with Thursday night in mind.

“To get that level of performance on the back of such a difficult game, we had to really empty it and leave it out on the pitch. It was a great result and scoreline.”

Gerrard is hoping Borna Barisic will shake off a thigh strain and Ryan Jack could also be fit to face Galatasaray.

He said: “Ryan had a clearing session this morning, we hope to have him back in training on Tuesday. Joe Aribo is processing well but neither he nor Kemar Roofe will be back this side of the international break.”