Hibs in bid to sign Rangers midfielder

ALFREDO Morelos is fit and ready to go against Bayer Leverkusen, says manager Steven Gerrard.

The Rangers striker has been the centre of transfer speculation for a number of months, with Lille preparing a bid for the Colombian.

It didn’t seem to faze the striker as he provided an assist against Aberdeen for Ryan Kent’s winner last weekend. And Gerrard insists it won’t bother him tonight in the Europa League.

Speaking ahead of the last-16 second leg in Germany, he said: “Alfredo is focused on the game. He is fit to play and wants to play.”

Gerrard is without new signings Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itter, while Jermain Defoe is injured, so it is likely Morelos will start as the Ibrox side look to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit. Gerrard added: “The plan is to try and start on the front foot and get that first goal to make it an interesting tie.”

HIBERNIAN are in pole position to beat off competition from England and abroad to clinch a move for Rangers midfielder Ross McCrorie.

It is understood the 22-yearold is one of the key targets for Jack Ross this summer and Hibs are keen to strike a deal.

McCrorie spent last season on loan at Portsmouth as Kenny Jackett’s side missed out on promotion to the Championship and a return to Fratton Park is one option open this term.

Steven Gerrard is keen to retain McCrorie as part of his Rangers squad but the Ibrox utility man is not short of suitors as clubs down south and on the continent monitor his situation with his boyhood heroes.

McCrorie still has two years to run on his Ibrox contract and Hibs may have to settle for a loan move if they are unable to agree terms to take him to Easter Road on a permanent basis.