GERRARD URGES MEN TO KEEP FOOT ON GAS

eight times in 14 Premiership games — with the Parkhead outfit just ahead on goals scored by 44 to 43. ‘We want to win by the biggest margin we can,’ said Gerrard (right), when asked if he viewed goal difference as important. ‘Probably, in the players’ eyes, I am a bit of a moaner like that. ‘Some of them maybe want to come off the gas and relax at three or four but not for me. I just want to continue doing the right things. ‘We are not at a level yet where we can pick or choose when we go on the gas. It has to be consistent — forget the scoreboard and just play with the correct intensity and try to score as many as possible. ‘I can’t complain with a 5-0 win at home on the back of a European night that we had to really push and give a lot in. I’d have some cheek to go in and complain about the amount of goals.’ The victory was the perfect start to a huge eight days for Rangers, who face a league visit to Pittodrie on Wednesday night ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm Betfred Cup final. Gerrard will demand a single-minded approach in the days ahead, stressing that all thought of their looming Hampden assignment must be blanked out for now. ‘Credit to the players, it’s another box ticked and now we recover and go up to Aberdeen which will be a tough game for us,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘They’ve come into a bit form of late and we need to forget about the cup final until the final whistle at Aberdeen. ‘It’s another big, important game for us and, if we do our level best, I’m confident we’ll get the outcome we want.’ Morelos headed in his 25th club goal of the season to kick off yesterday’s rout, before £7million winger Kent struck. ‘It was a fantastic header and a fantastic delivery from Borna Barisic,’ said Gerrard, who rested Ryan Jack in the wake of last midweek’s Europa League draw against Feyenoord. ‘It was a pure hunger to score from Alfredo. With the second goal, it was about the movement from Joe Aribo without the ball and the patience to find Ryan Kent with the pass. ‘The key for Ryan was to get him match-fit and match-sharp. He missed a lot of football over pre-season because he was waiting to sort his future out. When he came in, he got the injury and I need to share some of that responsibility. ‘But once we got him fit and sharp, you see his contribution and how important he is to the team. ‘Whether that is through goals or assists, he terrifies defenders by being so sharp and quick. He is moving towards his best.’

STEVEN GERRARD has told his players they must keep their foot firmly on the accelerator in the Premiership title race after a rout of Hearts drove Rangers to within a goal of Celtic. Strikes from Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent had the Ibrox side cruising at half-time, but Gerrard was pleased with the desire that saw them add to their tally through a Christophe Berra own goal and a double from sub Greg Stewart. The Rangers boss admitted he was constantly reminding his squad of the need to be relentless as they racked up a sixth straight domestic win in convincing fashion against a hapless Hearts team. Tied on 37 points, Rangers and Celtic have now each conceded