STEVEN Gerrard last night warned it would be a “huge mistake” for Rangers to cash in on their prized assets in the January transfer window with the Ibrox club bidding to win the Scottish title and still involved in the Europa League.
And Gerrard expressed total confidence that none of his key players – who have attracted interest from clubs in England and elsewhere in Europe as a result of their impressive form – will be sold this month.
Fringe players Greg Docherty and Jamie Murphy, who have struggled for first team game time during the 2019/20 campaign, are set to leave on loan for Sunderland and Burton Albion respectively this week.
However, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson, Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier, who have all been the subject of speculation, if not concrete bids, in recent weeks, will all be remaining in Glasgow.
Rangers, who have a game in hand against St Johnstone still to play, are just two points behind Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership table after a 2-1 win over their city rivals at Parkhead before the winter shutdown.
They are also still involved in the Europa League and will take on Braga of Portugal in a last 32 double header next month.
“We want to keep all our best players, for sure,” said Gerrard as he looked ahead to the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round match against Stranraer at Ibrox tonight
“We’ve opened up contract negotiations with Borna and his representatives. That’s bubbling away and I think that shows our intent and how much we want to keep the player. I think the player’s really happy here.
“We haven’t had a bid in black and white for any of our players so far in the window. Will that happen from now until the end? Possibly, I don’t know, I wouldn’t like to predict it. We don’t want any of our best players to go.
“There will be players around the squad who will go out on loan, any day now. That could happen today, it could happen next Monday. We’ll see. But in terms of selling any of our assets, any of our top players, that won’t be happening."
Gerrard added: “The important thing is we’re all on the same page. Dave King, the board, Stewart Robertson, Ross Wilson, myself, my staff, even the players themselves — we’re all on the same page. Where we’re trying to take this and what we want.
“It doesn’t make any sense at all for anyone connected with Rangers if we’re to cash in one of our assets right now. Will it happen in the future? Possibly. We all understand the situation and what happens.
“Sometimes bids can’t be turned down. I respect and understand that. But it would be a huge, huge mistake if we did that now — or in the next couple of weeks.”
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