RUSSELL MARTIN is confident striker Alfredo Morelos won’t be distracted by the talk surrounding his future at Rangers.

The Colombian was the subject of an £8million bid from Chinese Super League side Beijing Renhe this week but boss Graeme Murty stressed he was under no financial pressure to sell one of his key players.

Morelos fired a blank as Rangers went down 2-1 to Hibernian but defender Martin has no fears over his commitment to the cause this term.

He said: “You could see on Saturday that he worked his socks off. He dominated the centre-halves most of the game.

“He didn’t get the goal that he or we would have liked, but he has been fine.

“He is a good lad. He is quite bubbly and lively. There has been no difference in him.

“I could try [and speak to him], but he doesn’t speak great English.

“If his attitude was wrong and the training pitch and he had been sulking about then of course there would be a need to pull him aside and have a chat, but he hasn’t been like that at all so I don’t think there’s been a need to really.

“Listen, he’s a good player. Since I have come in the building I have seen what he’s about. He’s a very good player.

“None of us can dictate what people want to pay. That is up to the clubs. Alfredo seems happy enough.”

Morelos has scored 13 times for Rangers following his switch from HJK Helsinki and the Light Blues are set to make a significant profit on the £1million they paid for him in the summer.

Martin knows the headlines could affect the 21-year-old in the wrong way but he is confident Morelos will be an integral part of Murty’s plans in the second half of the season.

He said: “One hundred per cent. Then it is a problem for the dressing room. But, honestly, he’s been fine, he’s been brand new.

“You could see on Saturday that he wanted to win a football match, worked extremely hard and was disappointed at the result. As long as he keeps doing that we’ll be fine.

“I’m sure it’s a distraction for the people above at this football club that they could probably do without.

“Of course, it’s going to be on his mind at some point and the manager’s mind. But as long as he’s working hard in training and his attitude stays the same there isn’t a problem with the lad really. As long as it stays the same we’ll be fine.

“Obviously you like to keep your good players and he is a very good player.

“But in football these days everyone has a price. It is up to the clubs and the board to decide.

“We will have to go with it. Until then, as long as he remains a decent part of the group then we’ll be fine.”