STEVEN GERRARD insists he won’t be pulling on his boots and rolling back the years when Rangers face HJK Helsinki on Sunday.

The Finnish champions will play a friendly at Ibrox this weekend as Gerrard gets a chance to put his fringe and youth players through their paces ahead of the second half of the season.

The match was agreed as part of the deal that brought striker Alfredo Morelos to Glasgow and supporters had speculated whether Gerrard would look to give himself a run-out.

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Liverpool legend Gerrard hasn’t played professionally since retiring from the game following his departure from LA Galaxy in 2016.

And the 38-year-old isn’t preparing to take to the field once again as he gets set to watch the action unfold from the dugout as usual.

Gerrard said: “Where has that come from? Let me tell you right now, I would love to play.

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“I would love nothing better - but unfortunately that won't be happening.

“I am sure I would be allowed, I don't think there are any rules about that. This is just honouring a gentleman's agreement between Alfredo and people at the club at Helsinki and Rangers, which we all have to respect.

“I would love to play. I would just take the No. 8 off Jacko (Ryan Jack) and play the full 90 minutes.

“No, it just isn't happening. Because then I have to upset someone else who has to play and I don't want to do that. But I would love to.

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“One, because I can't last 90 minutes any more. Two, because there are better options than me. And three) because I have been retired for I don't know how long, three years?

“The hips just don't move the way they used to move. It is different pinging a pass 40 yards in a 10 minute possession drill and playing 90 minutes in front of a crowd. I am not embarrassing myself.”