Rangers in Europa League: Steven Gerrard has ‘no issues’ with using Alfredo Morelos

Striker linked with Lille set to face Bayer Leverkusen

Rangers' Alfredo Morelos during a training session in Leverkusen. Picture: Martin Meissner/AP

Steven Gerrard says he has “no issues” with using Alfredo Morelos in Rangers’ Europa League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Morelos has been linked strongly with French side Lille and speculation that he could be sold intensified when Rangers signed forwards Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe on Tuesday.

“I have no issues with using Alfredo,” said Rangers manager Gerrard, whose side trail Leverkusen 3-1 in the last-16 tie.

“Alfredo’s still a Rangers player. He’s with us over here, he’s focussed on the game and he’ll continue to be a Rangers player until things change and the only way that’ll change is if a bid is met that the board and myself are happy with. At the moment, that hasn’t happened.

“He’s fit, he’s available. He wants to play, he’s ready to play.”

Rangers need at least three away goals if they are to rescue the tie and set up an unlikely last-eight meeting with either Inter Milan or Getafe.

Gerrard said: “We’re over here to give everything we’ve got and give it our best shot. We know it’s going to be tough, we know the deficit we’re trying to plug, but the plan is to start on the front foot, get the first goal and then make it an interesting tie.”