Steven Gerrard: Andy King loan 'made total sense in every shape or form'

The 30-year-old midfielder, also part of the Wales team which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, completed the formalities of his loan arrangement to become the Ibrox side’s tenth signing of the summer just minutes after Rangers reached the play-off stage of the Europa League by completing a convincing 7-3 aggregate win over FC Midtjylland of Denmark. 

The Welshman, deemed surplus to requirements at the King Power Stadium after the English transfer window closed, will be eligible to play in the next round against Legia Warsaw assuming the Ibrox side register him with Uefa ahead of the first leg. 

“Did I speak to Brendan?” said Gerrard. “No, but this came very recently. We thank Leicester for the opportunity because you and I know from a financial situation there is no way in the world we can bring Premier League players in here.

READ MORE: Rangers 3-1 Midtjylland: Five things we leaned as Steven Gerrard's side clinch play-off berth

“But when this opportunity came up, I wanted to get it done and get it done quick because it was a fantastic offer we had to grab. It made total sense in every shape and form.”

The arrival of the versatile King, who missed a chunk of last season due to injury, means that Rangers have six played to cover their three midfield roles. 

“The opportunity to get Andy only came up in the last 24 hours and I jumped at the chance for numerous reasons,” said “One, he is a winner, a Premier League winner. Two, because he has had numerous caps at international level. Over the course of the last 14 months I have been trying to build a squad but a lot of the guys are very young – they need leadership and guidance in the dressing room. So It was a no brainer. Financially was well, it made total sense. I think Leicester have got a call back on it, but it will be a season-long loan.

“He can do numerous jobs in the middle of the pitch," the Englishman added. "He can play like a Steven Davis if you like and control games with his passing, he can go box to box, he can play either side of a holder, left or right. He is hungry to play, he got an injury last year which frustrated him a lot. I spoke to him and he understands he has to work hard. But for the club and myself it is positive news."

READ MORE: Rangers 3 FC Midtjylland 1: Ibrox side dismantle the Danes to join Celtic in play-off

Gerrard, meanwhile, sent former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko home to Denmark with some words of advice after a 3-1 win against the Danes on the night. Clearly taking issue with something Sviatchenko said in the media prior to the match, the pair met in the tunnel afterwards with the Englishman making a zipping gesture over his mouth.

“I just wished him all the best for the remainder of the season,” said Gerrard. “He had obviously been speaking quite a lot through the media over where he is from. So it was just a little send-off for him.”

The Rangers manager gave an update on the fitness of striker Alfredo Morelos, who had limped off in the closing stages. Rather than a hamstring pull as first feared, the Colombian is believed to have sustained only a knock and his injuries aren’t thought to be serious. “He's fine,” said Gerrard. “He's very tough. I think he's took a bit of a whack but I've just asked him how he is and he thinks he will be fine.”

Next up for Rangers is the BetFred Cup meeting with East Fife on Sunday. “There will be an opportunity for some to play on Sunday and they need to go and deliver performance,” said Gerrard. “After that we can turn our focus to the away leg against Legia which will be hostile and tough. They have good experience in Europe. I’m very pleased with four wins but you won’t see myself or anyone at the club getting carried away.”