Steven Gerrard insists Joe Worrall will be going nowhere after revealing Nottingham Forest have missed their chance to recall the defender from his Rangers loan.

Forest have a defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday's clash with Bristol City and reports claimed new boss Martin O'Neill was considering requesting Worrall's return to the City Ground.

But Gerrard has disappointed the former Celtic boss after confirming the centre-half will be staying at Ibrox to help his side's title push in the second half of the season.

The Light Blues manager said: "We've spoken to Nottingham Forest and I think in the deal they had up until January 7 to call Joe back and we never heard anything from it.

"So Joe will remain here for the rest of the season.

"He's a player who's done really, really well for us. I thought he was excellent during the Old Firm so he'll be here for the remainder of the campaign."

Gerrard, meanwhile, has rubbished reports claiming he is considering moves for Liverpool ace Adam Lallana and former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison.

Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis have already been secured on loan deals and could make their debuts against Cowdenbeath in Friday night's opening William Hill Scottish Cup tie.

Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara and Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones have also been tied down on pre-contracts and while Gers have been in talks about bringing Kamara's move forward from the summer, Jones has confirmed he will not be switching until his Killie deal expires.

Gerrard is content with the situation and expects both players to continue giving their all for their current employers.

He said: "Glen is still a Dundee player and Jordan is still a Kilmarnock player, so I won't be speaking about those two.

"All I'll say is that we as a club have asked them both to be professional and respect the clubs they're at."

Gerrard is prepared to allow Jordan Rossiter – who has been linked with a loan switch to Dundee United – to head out for more action but insists fellow midfielder Ross McCrorie will be staying put amid interest from Dundee and Swansea.

The Ibrox boss added: "We haven't heard from anyone in terms of Jordan but there is a chance he can go out to get some games.

"We'll have to wait and see what options he gets in the next couple of weeks.

"We rate the player and obviously love the kid. I've got two options – I could be selfish and keep him here as a squad player but the other one is to understand he wants to play.

"I can't promise him that as Ryan Jack's been immense, Ross McCrorie has been immense, Lassana Coulibaly has been fantastic at times. It's maybe in both our interests that Jordan goes out and gets some games.

"But Ross McCrorie is going nowhere.

"When we came in, we inherited a player that was hurt mentally. He'd had a tough time in certain games last season and his confidence was affected.

"We've had to be careful with how we've played Ross but what I will say is he's worked extremely hard on the training pitch and he's getting better.

"His confidence and belief are coming back and his last four or five performances have been immense, not just the Old Firm game.

"It's a shame he's suspended for Cowdenbeath but he's got an incredible future here – a potential future captain – and he won't be going anywhere else than Rangers."