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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark McDougall

Alfredo Morelos sends Rangers 'ready' promise as Steven Gerrard backs striker amid exit talk

Rangers will have Alfredo Morelos for Saturday's game against Aberdeen after it was confirmed he would travel with the squad to Pittodrie.

The Colombian has been subject of serious interest from Lille and Record Sport revealed on Thursday night that West Brom are also interested as the Ligue 1 side ready a £17m bid.

But Steven Gerrard insists he'll be involved in the Granite City and revealed he has spoken to him about his mindset ahead of the game.

Many felt that Morelos' mind might be elsewhere with such big money on offer but the Liverpool legend is adamant he will be focused for the game.

Gerrard said: "Alfredo will travel up to Aberdeen with us. In terms of the starting XI and squad I will decide this after today's session.

"I've had some detailed chats with Alfredo this week. He tells me he's ready, he looks ready."

The Rangers boss will definitely be without Jermain Defoe and he's also been dealt a further injury blow with Steven Davis set to miss out.

The Northern Irish midfielder has picked up a knock and won't play against the Dons at lunchtime on Saturday, but he should be available for Thursday's Europa League showdown against Bayer Leverkusen.

(Getty Images)

Filip Helander is also a doubt despite returning to action against Coventry last week. The Swede is fit but has played just 30 minutes of football since December last year.

But Gerrard does have the luxury of adding extra players to his squad with the SPFL passing a rule allowing nine subs to be named on the bench, with five used.

The Ibrox boss isn't sure about it though and feels it has been forced through too late ahead of the kick-off.

Gerrard added: "Defoe won't make the match with his hamstring, the weekend is too soon. Davis has a small issue and will miss this game but should be available for Thursday night. Otherwise, fit and well.

"We got the news on the five subs quite late, it is a chance to get more game time for players, bring some youngsters through at the right time and adapt but was a bit strange introducing this with such late notice."

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