STEVEN GERRARD insists it was an 'easy’ decision to leave Alfredo Morelos out of the Rangers side that beat Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
The Colombian wasn’t included in Gerrard’s matchday squad as summer signing Kemar Roofe and in-demand Ryan Kent netted the goals that clinched a crucial Premiership victory.
Gerrard had admitted on Friday that he had doubts over Morelos’ mentality at present following weeks of speculation surrounding his Ibrox future.
Rangers rejected a £16million bid from Lille for Morelos earlier this month and his absence here raises more questions about what role he will have to play in the coming weeks.
There were no such issues for Kent, though, as the winger – who was the subject of a £10million offer from Leeds United in midweek – played a key role as Kilmarnock were beaten with relative ease.
“I think you guys will decide how big a decision it was but for me it was pretty simple,” Gerrard said of the call to omit Morelos from his squad.
“We need players who work hard every single day and who are ready and focused for the challenges coming up.
“Speculation at a club like Rangers is normal. It is not ideal but you have to accept it.
“The most important thing is the players stay hungry and stay focused.
“I only want players who are hungry for the shirt and want to do a job.
“I want it to be difficult in every position. I want two good players in every position fighting for their places.
“If I see people who are not focused or who have taken their eye off the ball and not really, really hungry to get this football club results, I have to make easy decisions and Alfredo made it easy for me this week.”
With Morelos not named in the squad, Roofe made the most of his chance as he was handed his first start for Rangers since joining from Anderlecht.
The striker converted a Borna Barisic cross shortly after the break to break Kilmarnock’s resistance and the points were secured when Kent scored midway through the second half.
Roofe is still building up his match fitness and sharpness but boss Gerrard said: “The pleasing thing for me is not just the goal, it is the cleverness and the linking of play.
“He has a good all-round game and he is starting to look a lot sharper. He is reaching full fitness and with another two or three games he will be really ready to go.”
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