Steven Gerrard has backed Alfredo Morelos despite the player being on the receiving end of a silly booking at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Morelos was shown a yellow card for complaining to referee Bobby Madden about a challenge on the Colombian that could have result in a bad injury.
While it was preventable and ensures that the star will not play in next month’s League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, the Rangers boss backed his star striker on the incident.
Speaking to Rangers TV after the match, Gerrard said:
He was very unlucky to get the yellow card because it was a clear foul on him. Their player should have got the yellow if anyone.
In different circumstances I would have rested [Morelos], but he wants to play. I’m not sure what’s been said [by Morelos to Madden] but I’m bitterly disappointed he won’t be available.
It’s a frustration. We lose a player in form and we’re going to have to find a way to get the job done without a natural nine unless Sadiq comes to the party and improves an awful lot between now and then.
With Kyle Lafferty also cup-tied for the Hampden showdown with the Dons, it does leave Rangers very light in attack and it’s clear from Gerrard’s comments that he doesn’t quite trust Umar Sadiq to get the job done.
Whether another player will emerge to play through the middle or the coaching staff manage to get something out of Sadiq remains to be seen.
It’s pleasing to hear Gerrard back Morelos though given the player’s reputation with referees and the media as something of an undisciplined character.
Was Gerrard right to back Alfredo Morelos? Share your thoughts in the comments below…