STEVEN GERRARD insists a multi-million pound bounty wouldn’t tempt him to swap Rangers for Derby as he dismissed talk of an Ibrox exit.
The 39-year-old has been linked with a potential move to Pride Park as Derby consider their options in the event of Frank Lampard making the switch to Chelsea this summer.
Lampard is the front-runner to replace Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge and could make an emotional return to London in the coming days.
Rangers dismissed reports of an interest in Gerrard last week but it has been claimed that Derby could offer him an £8million bonus to lead the Rams back to the Premier League.
READ MORE: Rangers pre-season daily: Chris Jack on Andy Halliday and Joe Aribo
Gerrard impressed during his first season as Gers boss last term and is currently in Portugal putting his players through their paces ahead of the new campaign. And he insists he wouldn’t leave Ibrox just to boost his bank balance as he targets domestic success this season.
Gerrard said: “First Of all, I don’t follow timelines. I don’t check the media on a daily basis to see what drops on there.
“The second thing is I’m not really money-motivated. So money wouldn’t really come into it when I make my decisions.
“I made my decision to come here to manage this club and this team and I’m really happy here.
“I really enjoyed my first year. Now my focus is on trying to take this team to the next level this season That’s what I’m focused on at the moment.
“Nothing has changed in my mind. I came in here very ambitious and very hungry. Alongside my staff, we have done the best we could in the first 12 months.
“We are very proud and pleased with the progress so far but we all realise that to finish off a job like this, you have to bring success. In terms of me and the staff, our ambitions and our focus have not changed.”
Gerrard still has three-years to run on the Rangers deal that he signed last summer as he landed his first managerial position at Ibrox.
And he remains as determined as ever to see through the job he started ahead of his second term as boss.
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard is straight talking with fringe players as he looks to reduce Rangers squad
Gerrard said: “That’s the reason I came. When I stopped playing and came out of an institution like Liverpool, there was a massive void in my life. I’m not going to lie, I missed playing. I missed being around that club.
“I had been round the club since the day I left school to play on a full-time basis. There was something missing in my life and Rangers brought the right fit and the right feel. I never took the decision lightly. It’s a privilege to be the manager. That hasn’t changed. I’m really looking forward to season two.
“It’s difficult to predict. In an ideal situation, I don’t think it looks right if you go through lots of clubs.
“That wasn’t my way as a player and it’s not going to change my thoughts as a manager.
“It’s difficult to predict. As a manager, how long do you stay around for if it’s not in your hands? Sometimes it’s taken out of your hands. It’s very difficult to predict how many clubs I’m going to manage or coach in the future.
“All I can say is I am very happy and settled where I am. It will be even better to make this a success. The only way I can do that is on the pitch.”
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