STEVEN Gerrard last night expressed hope that Rangers can hold onto Bordeaux target Alfredo Morelos and warned it will cost over £12 million to replace him.

The Ibrox club turned down a £3.75 million bid for Morelos that Gerrard described as “derisory” and “disrespectful” before their Europa League game with Maribor on Thursday night.

But the Liverpool and England great admitted the Colombian striker could be the subject of improved offers from Bordeaux and other clubs before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

However, he is short of centre forwards and is hopeful he can retain the services of the man who was Rangers’ joint top scorer in the 2017/18 campaign with 19 goals.

“It is no surprise that there is interest,” he said. “Last week it was James and this week it is Alfredo. But, for me, I have always been clear to the board that I want to keep my best players.

“For us to have any chance of competing, whether that be domestically or in Europe, we have to keep our best players.

“The window is still open for a couple of weeks. I get that and I get that other teams need to try and strengthen as well.

“They (Bordeaux) sold a centre-forward. But if I was a player it wouldn’t fill me with confidence if a manager has just walked out the door this morning (Gus Poyet was sacked yesterday). So I don’t know where it is at.

“I didn’t welcome was the amount they bid for one of my top players. I think, first and foremost, it is disrespectful to Alfredo because he is worth a helluva lot more than that.

“And I think it is disrespectful to Rangers because it is miles and miles and miles away from what we would let that player go for.

“We are not going to sit here and say ‘our players are not worth this or that’ because every player on the planet is worth an amount.”

Gerrard added: “If we sell a good player then we’ll have to go in to the transfer market and pay more than these bids to replace him. So it doesn’t make sense to me to accept a bid at that level.

“To accept bit like that for Alfredo, I’m probably going to have to spend treble that amount for a replacement to score goals like him.

“He’s playing very well at the moment. I am sure he was aware of the bid before the game on Thursday but yet again he ran himself in to the ground and almost got us that vital away goal.

“He’s been professional since I walked through the door. We have a good relationship. I have made it quite clear how much I rate him and respect him, and want to work with him. I expect the same respect back. I believe it’s in the club’s interests to get him signed up and look after him.

“But I have always been honest and respectful with Alfredo and expect the same back. I think the way the fans treat him, love him on a daily and weekly basis, they deserve the same respect as well.”

Gerrard is still hopeful that Rangers can land Northern Ireland internationalist Kyle Lafferty from Hearts in the coming days and admitted that he will look to tie up captain James Tavernier on an improved deal.

Asked if new arrivals were imminent, he said: “I hope so. There are some areas in the team we need to add to quickly. We don’t have much time, but we are doing everything we can to get it done as quickly as possible.

“There’s obviously been interest in James last week but, for me, it’s very important to build something here and that means keeping your best players. James certainly comes in to that category.”