GERRARD INSISTS STAR IS ‘GOING NOWHERE’
MORELOS is not for sale and will be unfazed by interest in January, promises Gerrard
STEVEN GERRARD is confident Alfredo Morelos won’t be affected by transfer talk next month and insists there is no chance of Rangers’ top scorer leaving Ibrox.
The Colombian proved his worth to the Light Blues once again on Sunday as he hit the brace that saw Gerrard’s side come from behind to beat St Johnstone. Morelos suffered a dip in form 12 months ago amid sustained interest from Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Renhe as Rangers turned down a series of multi-million bids.
But boss Gerrard won’t allow the
22-year-old to lose his focus in the coming weeks as he backs his star striker to go from strength to strength this term.
He said: “I’m not resistant to bids. But I won’t have his head turned in January, that’s simple.
“He won’t be going anywhere. The player knows what I think on that.
“I understand and respect that there will be bids, of course there will, but there will be bids for all top players around the world there’s nothing you can do as a manager.
“It’s not that I’m resistant to them; what I don’t want is for someone to turn his head and rock the boat because he’s in such great form.
“I think it’s important that he sees the season through and tries to have a consistent season from start to finish and go and rack up more goals.
“That’s what’s important for him and his career right now and that’s what other teams will be told, very clearly. He’s not for sale.”
The double at Saints took Morelos to 19 for the season as Rangers moved to within a point of Celtic at the top.
And Gerrard is delighted to see the forward further enhancing his reputation with a support that has taken him to their hearts since his move from HJK Helsinki last summer.
He said: “That happens at all top clubs, especially No 9s. Fans adore them.
“I’ve played with many myself, Torres, Suarez, Fowler, those kind of players, and he’s got that same link here.
“He’s the one when you’re looking for someone to step up in the final part of the pitch and he delivers magic moments like he did at St Johnstone.
“He deserves all that respect and love from the fans; he knows that he’s respected and loved not just by the fans but by his team-mates and the staff. We’re doing everything we can to keep developing him, not just the player but the person as well. He’s working really hard at that.”