STEVEN GERRARD admits he may have to offload some of his most sellable assets this summer after failing to guide Rangers into the group stages of the Champions League.

Defeat to Malmo on Tuesday night brought a premature end to Rangers' return to the top level of continental competition and consigned them to a Europa League play-off tie.

The Ibrox board have previously indicated that players would have to be sold off to balance the books and Gerrard now faces an anxious final few days of business in the transfer market.

Gerrard said: "Not on the back of the last two results in terms of Europe, but at the same time I am well aware of how this club works and how it runs.

"We are a club that if the right numbers land for our players we do have to recycle. I am well aware of that.

"Nothing has been said to me since the game in terms of being in a rush or a hurry to do that.

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"Nothing has changed in terms of me wanting to keep my best players here to give us the best chance of being successful moving forward.

"But I totally understand how the club runs, how it works and if the right numbers land for one individual or a couple of individuals, I know they will be considered above me.

"So I am not naïve enough to sit here and think that the last two results won’t have an impact somewhere down the line."

Several of Gerrard's title-winning stars have attracted interest from potential suitors in recent weeks and Rangers are now bracing themselves for bids before the window closes.

The likes of Glen Kamara and Alfredo Morelos are the most likely to move on and Gerrard is realistic about Rangers' position and the business model that must be in place at Ibrox.

Gerrard said: "Well, to be honest with you, even if we were successful against Malmo, if the right number lands for a player here, I think the board are going to listen and consider it.

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"That’s the way it is, that’s the way the club works. I think that’s always been the case and it always will be moving forward.

"We, honestly, hand on heart, have not had a realistic bid in black-and-white for any of our players. We haven’t had a serious phone call for any of our players. That’s the reality and where it is right now.

"But whether the Champions League progress happened or not, I don’t think it changes too much. If the right number lands for the right player, I know in my position the board are going to bring it to me."