Rangers play Dunfermline Athletic in Scottish League Cup on Friday looking to redeem themselves following their Champions League qualification exit at the hands of Malmo; Gerrard: "We haven't had a serious phone call for any of our players, and that's the reality"
Thursday 12 August 2021 15:11, UK
Steven Gerrard says Rangers are prepared to listen to realistic offers for their players during the transfer window but doesn't think the club's exit from the Champions League will accelerate any departures.
After a 3-0 win over Livingston in their Scottish Premiership opener, Rangers recorded two 2-1 defeats to Swedish side Malmo in Champions League qualification, which came either side of a 1-0 away loss to Dundee United in the league.
Rangers only lost three in 56 games in all of last season and their recent Champions League disappointment against Malmo at Ibrox, which saw them drop down into the Europa League qualification play-offs, made it the first time Gerrard has overseen three consecutive defeats since he arrived at the club in 2018.
Striker Alfredo Morelos continues to be linked with a move away and almost joined French club Lille last summer, while midfielder Glen Kamara has been reportedly subject to interest from English sides, and Rangers are eager to tie the Finland international down to a long-term deal.
When asked if players could depart because of their setback in midweek, Gerrard said: "Not on the back of the last few results, but at the same time I'm well aware of how this club works and how it runs and we are a club that if the right numbers land for our players, we do have to recycle.
"But nothing has been said to me since that game [the latest 2-1 defeat to Malmo] in terms of being in a rush or a hurry to do that and nothing has changed in terms of me wanting to keep our best players here moving forward.
"But I totally understand how the club runs, how it works and if the right numbers land for an individual or a number of individuals I know they'll be considered above me.
"I'm not naïve enough to think that the last two results won't have an impact somewhere down the line.
"Even if we were successful against Malmo, if the right number lands for a player here I think the board are going to listen and consider it.
"We haven't had a realistic bid in black and white for any of our players. We haven't had a serious phone call for any of our players, and that's the reality."
A Scottish League Cup second-round tie against Dunfermline Athletic offers Rangers the chance to bounce back after their 4-2 loss on aggregate to Malmo, who were down to 10 men in the second leg at Ibrox on Tuesday.
Gerrard said: "It's about trying to get back in a good place as quick as you can.
"This match is really important to us and I am going to pick a strong squad and aim to win the football match.
"It is my job to lead in these situations and flip the mood as quick as we can. You have to use this feeling to react and put in a performance.
"The players, coaches and supporters all don't like this feeling and it is about unity and sticking together.
"I have great relationships with all of our players win, lose or draw. We communicate openly after every match."
Despite winning the Premiership title by a 25-point margin last term, Rangers failed to win either domestic cup competition, and Gerrard insists he will not field a weakened team on Friday at Ibrox against their Championship opponents.
He added: "You will see in my squad selection how serious we are taking the competition.
"We made it abundantly clear to the squad this season that the domestic cups are important and we want to go all the way in both. We will be going full throttle."
Rangers have added forward Fashion Sakala and midfielders Nnamdi Ofoborh and John Lundstram, who all joined as free agents, to their squad over the summer, and Gerrard feels his squad is now taking shape.
"For different reasons during pre-season people have been missing, but the squad is now starting to look healthy," he said.
"We have shown that we are a last-16 team in the Europa League in the last few seasons. We are disappointed with this week, but we move on to our next challenge and it is about trying to get back in a good place as quick as you can."
Gerrard said new signing Sakala won't feature against Dunfermline, while Ryan Jack and Nikola Katic remain sidelined with injuries.
