Graeme Murty has said that Rangers can play a massive part in helping Alfredo Morelos to achieve his international ambitions with Colombia.
The 21 year old has scored 15 goals so far for Rangers following his arrival from HJK Helsinki and he already has international experience under his belt at Under 17 and Under 20 levels, but he is yet to debut for the senior side.
With the youngster quickly becoming a fan favourite and showing that, apart from a few wobbles owing to the speculation about his future and the potential money available to him, that he’s still committed and focused at the club with him adding a brace last weekend against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup, Murty is fully on board in believing that he can get himself a call up to the World Cup in Russia this year.
A recent poll in the South American country’s main sports newspaper having an 86% positive vote in terms of Morelos being drafted into the national side, Murty was quoted by Sky Sports as saying that as long as he keeps his head down and continues working hard, he sees no reason why he won’t get a call up.
‘We haven’t had any contact from Colombia yet, but all Alfredo can do is continue to be outstanding. If he’s the top scorer in this league, then I have no doubt they will be looking at him.’
In true fashion Murty pointed out that there are areas of Morelos’ game that need work and things he can improve upon, but he’s a young lad and that will come in time. What’s telling though is his natural ability to be so clinical despite the fact he’s not the polished article yet and he can still improve that area of his game and become even more potent in front of the net.
‘There are areas Alfredo needs to improve, there are areas where he can get better, we can look at his clinical nature, how many chances does he need to score a goal? We can definitely get that number down, we can definitely make him sharper and brighter, but I think having that international ambition is a good way to light a fire for a young man like Alfredo where goals are his main thing.’
Murty clearly saw no reason why he couldn’t make that improvement with Rangers.
‘But we can use those goals as a stepping stone to bigger and better things for him and he can realise, you know what, I can do these things while being here at a massive stage. Every other game we are on TV and we have to utilise that as a positive.’
As for getting a firmer international interest in him, the message is simple. Keep playing well and keep scoring and he’ll be on their radar.
‘I can’t offer him the carrot more, all I can show him is the opportunity. As far as I am concerned, success is merely opportunity and preparation combined. He will have the opportunity to be successful here but he has to make sure he prepares properly, he lives properly, he works properly at his game and is diligent. He is doing those things.’
He added.
‘We need to put him in front of those guys that are going to make that decision. He has to make them aware of him, make them sit up and take notice and how do you do that? He has to score loads and loads and loads of goals.’
