WHEN it comes to transfer fees, a player is only really worth what someone is willing to pay for them. Alfredo Morelos is starting to show he is priceless for Rangers, though.

The striker was the subject of a £3.75million bid from Bordeaux on the eve of the Europa League clash with Maribor last week but shrugged off speculation over his future with a bullish performance to help Steven Gerrard’s side progress to the play-off round.

It was a team effort in Slovenia but, at Rugby Park, Morelos was very much the man of the moment as he fired Rangers into the last eight of the Betfred Cup. He was the hat-trick hero and the match winner.

Gerrard insisted before the trip to Kilmarnock that he would need to spend three times what Bordeaux bid to replace his star striker as he dismissed the offer as ‘derisory’ and ‘disrespectful’.

Right now, it doesn’t make football sense for Rangers to sell Morelos. Gerrard will hope he doesn’t have to make a financial decision any time soon.

The form of Morelos has been one of the main positives in the opening weeks of the campaign and there was another reason for Gerrard to be cheerful here as his side moved one small step closer to Hampden.

The win came at a price, though, with Jamie Murphy leaving Rugby Park on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury early on. That could prove be a huge negative for Rangers but it was the only one here as Steve Clarke’s side were seen off.

With the first leg against Ufa to come in midweek, Gerrard had to strike the balance between making changes to keep his side fresh whilst ensuring the Gers were still strong enough to overcome a tricky test on their return to domestic action.

There was no place in the squad for the Man of the Match in Maribor as Allan McGregor dropped out and Wes Foderingham made his first competitive start of the campaign. The other changes saw Borna Barisic return at left-back as Andy Halliday reverted to a more natural midfield berth, while Ryan Kent took over from Daniel Candeias.

And it was the on-loan Liverpool kid that helped carve out Rangers’ first opening of the game after just seven minutes.

Kent and James Tavernier combined down the right and the winger picked out Morelos. His shot from close range was hooked clear by Stephen O’Donnel but not before the ball had crossed the line.

Linesman Daniel McFarlane kept his flag down, though, and referee Nick Walsh didn’t signal for a goal. It was the wrong call and Rangers were denied a dream start in Ayrshire.

That was a setback that they could recover from but there was no comeback for Murphy as his afternoon was unfortunately ended prematurely.

Kirk Broadfoot challenged him for a long ball down the channel and his knee twisted badly as he planted his foot. He knew straight away it was a bad one.

Assistance quickly arrived on the scene and Murphy was treated for a couple of minutes before being stretchered off as Candeias took his place on the right flank. For Murphy and Gerrard, it was a real blow.

Thankfully for Rangers, it wasn’t followed by the concession of the opening goal of the afternoon as Foderingham followed up an early save from a Chris Burke free-kick with an even better block after the former Gers winger whipped in a low cross.

That was as close as Killie would come before Morelos took the game away from them. The Colombian had been denied when Daniel Bachmann made a smart stop with his legs but he made no mistake with his next effort.

Rangers worked the ball well from left to right through Halliday and Candeias and Tavernier had time and space on the flank. His cross found Morelos and the striker nodded home at the back post for his fourth goal of the campaign.

He wasn’t finished there. Before the break, he would have his fifth as Rangers doubled their advantage and took a significant step towards the next round.

Kilmarnock had again threatened as Broadfoot’s header clipped the top of Foderingham’s bar, while Scott Arfield curled a free-kick just over at the other end.

With half-time approaching, Morelos came to the fore once again and the travelling support had another opportunity to serenade the striker.

Scott Boyd failed to deal with a long ball from Tavernier and Morelos showed strength and determination to spin the defender and set up his chance. The finish was low and clinical as he found the opposite corner of Bachmann’s net.

That should have been that for Rangers but Kilmarnock had a route back into from an unlucky source just six minutes after the restart.

Jordan Jones beat Arfield easily on the left and Kris Boyd couldn’t convert from close range. The ball still ended up in the net, though, with Barisic unable to clear at the back post.

One of the main traits that Gerrard’s side have shown this term is the ability to deal with adversity and that characteristic came to the fore once again.

There was no panic as they settled back into their game and they had further openings as Morelos’ effort was saved by Bachmann before Arfield came close with a low effort after good work from Candeias down the right.

The final stages could have been nervy for Rangers. Morelos ensured they were celebratory, however, as he completed his hat-trick.

Ovie Ejaria and Arfield were involved in the build-up and Tavernier got the assist once again. From just yards out, Morelos rounded off a neat move with a simple finish.

His name was chanted once again as he got the standing ovation he deserved when Umar Sadiq replaced him at the head of the attack. The only noise was coming from the Rangers fans at either end of Rugby Park.

Another win had been earned and was more than deserved and supporters are becoming even more optimistic they will have plenty to sing about in the coming months.