Gerrard so grateful to Rodgers for King move

STEVEN Gerrard (right) has thanked Brendan Rodgers for send i ng L e iceste r m id f ie lde r Andy King (inset) on loan to Rangers.

The 2016 Premier League winner has signed up for the Gers’ title push after being given the green light by the former Celtic boss to make his seasonlong Ibrox move.

Gerrard admits the Light Blues would have struggled to match the wages the 30-year-old Wales international was earning at the King Power Stadium.

But he paid tribute to the Foxes for making the deal possible after watching his team cruise into the Europa League play-off round after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Midtjylland.

Gerrard said: “This came very recently. We thank Leicester for the opportunity because you and I know from a financial situation there is no way in the world we can bring Premier League players in here.

“But when this opportunity came up I wanted to get it done and get it done quick because it was a fantastic offer we had to grab. It made total sense in every shape and form.

“I jumped at the chance for numerous reasons. One, he is a winner, a Premier League winner. Two, because he has had numerous caps at international level. Over the course of the last 14 months I have been trying to build a squad but a lot of the guys are very young – they need leadership and guidance in the dressing-room. So it was a no brainer.

“He is hungry to play, he got an i njury last year which frustrated him a lot. I spoke to him and he understands he has to work hard. But for the club and myself it is positive news.”

Gerrard was delighted as his side made easy work of Midtjylland with a 3-1 Ibrox win as they set up a play-off clash with Poles Legia Warsaw.

Alfredo Morelos put the tie to bed 14 minutes in after being teed up by Sheyi Ojo. The pair reversed roles just before halftime as the on-loan Liverpool youngster swept home.

And Ojo was back on the wing laying on Morelos for this ninth goal in eight games this season just after the break to ensure Evander Da Silva Ferreira’s late goal for the Danes was a mere consolation.

And Gerrard had a message for Erik Sviatchenko at full-time, gesturing to the former Celtic defender to zip it as he made his way down the tunnel.

“I just wished him all the best for the remainder of the season,” said the Ibrox boss with a wry smile. “He had obviously been speaking quite a lot through the media over where he is from. So it was just a little send-off for him.”

Midtjylland boss Kenneth Andersen admitted his side could not live with a team he believes can go far.

He said: “Congratulations to Rangers because over the two games they have been much sharper than us.”