Morelos told he must fight for his shirt

STEVEN GERRARD has warned Alfredo Morelos he is no longer guaranteed his place in the Rangers team.

The subject of another failed transfer bid from Lille worth £16.25million, Morelos started both last weekend’s Premiership opener against Aberdeen and the midweek Europa League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

However, the signings of new strikers Cedric Itten and

Kemar Roofe for a combined £6m has generated a fight to play up front in Gerrard’s team.

While it seems inevitable that Morelos will be sold sooner rather than later, Gerrard has urged the Colombian to embrace the new challenge ahead of today’s league visit of St Mirren.

He said: ‘Whether Alfredo stays or goes, he has a fight to keep the shirt because competition for places is what we want in every position.

‘That brings the best out in everyone. For any position in the team, we don’t want any player to automatically think it’s their shirt every week.’

Top scorer in each of his three

seasons at Ibrox, Morelos (below) has only scored one goal in 2020, leading Gerrard to admit during midweek that the Colombian striker’s head has been turned by speculation over his future.

While Roofe, a £3.5m buy from Anderlecht, is short of match sharpness, it is likely that Swiss internationalist Itten will feature today following his £2.5m move from St Gallen.

‘The plan is to have two good players in every position and have everyone fighting for game time,’ said Gerrard. ‘They have no choice, that competition is coming.

‘Once the window is shut, anyone who’s in the door will have a fight on to keep the jersey. That’s good and healthy. It’s what the fans want and it’s the way it should be at a club like Rangers.’

While Gerrard has operated almost exclusively with a lone striker during his two years in charge, he admits his summer transfer business has given him greater flexibility.

Neil Lennon’s decision to flip Celtic to a 3-5-2 after the winter break saw them open up a 13-point lead in the title race before lockdown.

Gerrard admits that having Roofe, Itten, Morelos and Jermain Defoe on board allows him to mix and match in attack.

With Leon Balogun signed and Filip Helander back from injury to complement Connor Goldson and George Edmundson, he also has the means to operate with a back three in defence.

‘We’ve now got the option to go with three at the back,’ he added. ‘We’ve got four terrific centre-backs all at different stages of their career. Calvin Bassey is also capable of playing there.

‘Now we’ve got more firepower in the door, it’s something that could be on my mind. If I feel it’s necessary or makes sense to play 3-5-2, I’ll have no doubts about doing it now.’

Gerrard’s remaining transfer priority is a central midfielder, while he also expects several fringe players to depart before October’s transfer deadline.

‘The majority of our business is done,’ he continued. ‘But I’m actively looking to improve in one or two areas as well. I’ve been open about wanting to add something in our engine room. ‘I know clubs are monitoring our players and I expect bids to land for certain people.

‘But I’m having conversations with players and trying to be open with them. I understand people are frustrated. The squad’s big at the moment and there’s not enough game time to go around for everyone.

‘I do predict people will go out. I don’t want conflict with anyone. I’ll be honest and give them the respect they deserve.’