Steven Gerrard is hoping to get shot of Bruno Alves’ massive £28,000 a week wages.
A year ago the defender was the marquee signing of the Pedro Caixinha regime telling supporters that he was in Scotland to take Celtic’s title.
Alves managed to start just 17 SPFL fixtures, playing just one full match against Brendan Rodgers’ side as Sevco ended up with the worst defensive record in the top six.
So far Gerrard has spent around £5m on transfer fees for Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic- both completing for Alves’ place in central defence- with the recent activity suggesting that the transfer war-chest has been emptied.
Micky O’Halloran, Jason Holt, Kenny Miller and Joe Dodoo have been removed from the pay-roll but their combined wages doesn’t get close to the pay packet of Alves.
Speaking about the future of the 36-year-old Gerrard told the Daily Record: “I haven’t spoken to Bruno yet.
“I have given him the respect he deserves and he has got very important things to focus on right now in terms of the World Cup and that should be his priority.
“I don’t think I should be phoning him and having a conversation on his domestic career just yet. There will be a time for it.
“He will have a break after Portugal either win the tournament or get knocked out and then I will have a conversation with Bruno and talk to him.
“I didn’t want to go in and speak to him or try and get contact with him while he has got important things to focus on.”
With one year left on big earning Alves will only be quitting Ibrox if the company offer to pay him a large chunk of his salary with the player still due the best part of £1.5m in wages.