STEVEN GERRARD insists Premier League clubs will need to find ‘loads of money’ to take his top stars in January after captain James Tavernier was linked with a move to Brighton.

The right-back was the subject of interest from West Bromwich Albion during the summer as Rangers rebuffed bids for one of their key players.

The Seagulls have been credited with an interest in Tavernier ahead of the next transfer window but Gerrard won’t do any deals that don’t reflect his valuations.

He said: “I know the CEO at Brighton very well. I used to work alongside him at the FA.

“He’s got my number and he knows where I am. But he best go to the owners and ask for an awful lot of money if he wants James Tavernier.

“That goes for any CEO, any owner, any club that wants my captain. They best go to the bank and get an awful lot of money out - or he’s not going.

“I would be surprised if teams don’t come (for Tavernier) because he’s been absolutely fabulous for me.

“Every player has their price but if the price is not right then he does not go anywhere. He stays as my captain.

“All my players are for sale. Let’s get it out in the open. Every single one of my players is for sale.

“They have all got a price. But they are not the old prices. It’s the new prices.

“So if you want them then come with loads of money and you can have them.”

Tavernier was again an influential presence for Rangers as they beat league leaders Hearts 3-1 at Ibrox on Sunday.

Goals from Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield clinched the points before Jimmy Dunne replied after Michael Smith was sent off for the Jambos.

And Gerrard was pleased with an impressive first half performance in particular as his side followed up their victory over Rapid Vienna with a crucial Premiership three points.

He said: “We got until Hearts had a man dismissed and we got a little bit sloppy and complacent.

“It was only natural that the energy levels would drop after what they gave on Thursday night and the first hour of this game.

“I thought they were sensational. We have beaten a good team today.

“I said it before the game and I wasn’t telling lies – Hearts are where they are on merit.

“They have good players and a good way to play.

“We’ve beaten a good team today because we went to war with them and we matched them in the war and then our football shone through and that’s what you have to do in games like this.”

Rangers are now just five points adrift of Hearts at the top of the table and remain two behind Old Firm rivals Celtic following their win at St Johnstone.

The Light Blues were shocked by newly-promoted Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena last Sunday as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat.

But the response has been exactly what they needed as they have passed two significant tests at home and abroad in successive Ibrox wins.

Gerrard said: “This result had nothing to do with Livi and it doesn’t heal the Livingston performance which just wasn’t good enough.

“The challenge for me and the team now is that can we make these home performances away from home and that’s when we will find consistency.

“Today doesn’t heal Livingston, but it was certainly a statement and has blown the title wide open and made it a little bit better looking for us.”