STEVEN GERRARD insists he ‘loves’ Alfredo Morelos as a player as he looks to get the best out of him during his second season at Ibrox.
The striker became a firm favourite with supporters last term as he made an immediate impact following his move from HJK Helsinki.
Rangers turned down a series of multi-million bids from Beijing Renhe during the January transfer window and will demand a hefty fee before allowing him to leave.
Morelos is currently in Spain with the rest of Gerrard’s squad and the Ibrox boss is pleased to have the 21-year-old in his ranks.
Gerrard said: “We love the player. The fans love the player. He’s a goal scorer. We know what he can add to this team and squad.
“If you’re asking me if his head has been turned that’s a question you’d have to ask the player himself.
“But where we stand right now he’s a Rangers player and I’m delighted to have him.”
Gerrard has clinched deals for six players so far this summer as he has started to remodel the squad he inherited at Ibrox.
Kenny Miller left the club at the end of his contract, while Eduardo Herrera will be allowed to head for the exit door after just 12 months in Light Blue.
It leaves Gerrard short of natural striking options at present but the 38-year-old is keen to bolster his Gers attack this summer.
He said: “That’s an area we are looking at.
“When a legend goes out the door, and someone as good as Kenny Miller, whose been a goal scorer throughout his career, it’s a very difficult void to fill. Big shoes to fill.
“So it’s important that we try to get that one right. It is an area we’re looking at.”
Rangers have wasted little time in making moves in the transfer market and a handful of players have already secured switches away from Ibrox.
Many clubs are biding their time before splashing the cash this summer but Gerrard is keen to do the right deals at the right time for Rangers.
He said: “There is a process whether there is a World Cup on or not.
“As a manager you want them in yesterday. Of course you do.
“But you have to show patience. There is a lot of time. You don’t have to rush these decisions.
“If it is right and you and ready then we will strike, as we have done. But it’s important we get them right rather than rush them.
“It (how many more signings) will depend how the next four to six weeks unfolds as well. Are we going to have a European group stage campaign to add to the number of games?
“That will influence the final numbers we want around us.”
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