RANGERS hero Ally McCoist is not sure whether Steven Gerrard's defiant response to his rumours linking him with Newcastle has ended the speculation.

The Ibrox icon admitted he's none the wiser whether Gerrard will be free to concentrate on Rangers matters after weeks of reports linking him with a move to the Saudi-rich Toon.

Gerrard had been pressed on reports linking him with the vacant position at St James' Park on BT Sport but shut down the question.

He replied: “Do I look happy? Do I look settled? Don’t ask me silly questions then.”

But despite Gerrard's comments, McCoist is unsure whether it ends all suggestion of a possible move down south to Newcastle.

Speaking on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, he said: “The answer is I don’t know to be honest with you.

“We don’t know what’s going on at Newcastle, we don’t know what’s going on with football!

“I think Steven is happy where he is and I think that makes sense.

“I think Steven wants the Liverpool job. He’s never said that but I’m guessing as it makes natural sense that he’d eventually want to manage the club that he loves.

“And I think the best way for him to do that is to continue to be successful at Rangers.”

Celtic hero Chris Sutton was quick to take the opportunity to wind up pal McCoist joking that Gerrard had possibly shown the Newcastle support "a little bit of love".

Sutton said: “He called them the Toon didn’t he? I’ve never heard him speak about Newcastle in that fashion.

“A little bit of love for the Newcastle support? Has he ever said stuff like that? Hmmm…”

But McCoist shut down "madman" Sutton's theory, saying: “Chris, the Toon? Imagine Steven calling them by their name. They are known as the Toon ya madman!”