GERRARD ADAMANT MORELOS IS GOING NOWHERE

a radio station from his homeland. However, as he looked ahead to his first final as a manager and the chance to halt Celtic’s march to ten trophies in a row, Gerrard dismissed any prospect of selling the striker despite the Ibrox side announcing a loss of £11.3m in their annual accounts. Asked if he is confident of keeping his star striker in January, Gerrard said: ‘I’m not confident, I’m sure. I’m 100-per-cent sure he is not going anywhere.’ Morelos edged out £7m signing Ryan Kent and midfielder Ryan Jack for man of the match as Rangers dominated a one-sided win over managerless Hearts. But Gerrard was reluctant to set targets when asked how many goals Morelos can score if he stays, saying: ‘As far as I’m concerned and Alfredo’s concerned, we just need to work towards 21 (goals). Keep going and focus on the next game. ‘I’m sure secretly he will have his own targets, which I know all forwards do. ‘He’s in great form, he’s smiling and he’s happy and he’s producing for his team. He’s contributing heavily and that’s the reason we are so happy to have him.’ Under pressure to deliver silverware and halt Celtic’s run of nine straight trophies, Gerrard played down the significance of his first major final as a manager. ‘It shouldn’t be about me after a performance like that,’ he said. ‘It needs to be about the players. ‘There were two tricky away games, on TV against East Fife where they are hoping it’s one of those days where you don’t turn up. Then you go away to Livingston and the cameras are there again, a war we had to go and win. ‘Then again a tough game against Hearts, so the players deserve all the credit. ‘As Rangers manager, you are under constant pressure. I came here for challenges like today. I will look forward to the final.’ Rangers entered the Hearts clash on the back of six straight Hampden defeats, including five successive semi-finals where they failed to even score a goal. Buoyed by Filip Helander’s strike before half-time yesterday, they used their Hampden hoodoo as motivation to line up a final with Celtic. ‘You always have to tap into setbacks and disappointment,’ said Gerrard. ‘But I don’t want my team to look backwards.

You focus on the now and what’s in front of you. But, of course, you use negative experiences to your favour. ‘The performance was very strong. We dominated the majority of the game, showed great control and scored the first goal at a very good time. ‘The game opened up more in the second half and we could show a lot more quality. We looked dangerous every time we went forward. I don’t think anyone can say we don’t deserve to be in the final. ‘The final will be quite an occasion. But today is all about Rangers and performing ever so well. ‘The lads should enjoy it. They have a day off on Monday and then we reset and go on to the next challenge, which is Porto on Thursday.’