Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says that he will not come down hard on Alfredo Morelos for his disciplinary issues, after the Colombian was suspended for the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.
Morelos has directly been involved in 12 goals across all competitions since the beginning of the season and has been a central figure at Ibrox during the Gers’ meteoric rise under Gerrard so far.
The Colombian picked up a booking, his second of the competition, during the 4-0 drubbing of Ayr United on Wednesday in the quarter-final of the Scottish League Cup that resulted in an automatic suspension for the next game.
The 22-year-old received his marching orders as early as the 12th minute during Rangers’ opening game of the Premiership season against Aberdeen and has racked up five yellow cards as well since that incident.
However, Gerrard is not keen to criticise Morelos and insists that the striker is a big reason Rangers have succeeded this season.
The former Liverpool captain also added that he will take responsibility for involving Morelos against Ayr United when he knew that he was just a booking away from suspension.
“I’ll take responsibility for it because I played him, so if anyone’s to blame it’s me", Gerrard told a press conference.
“He’s the reason why we are in the semi-final. He scored a goal the other night, he got a hat-trick against Kilmarnock.
“We can’t praise him and love him and appreciate him being here then when he makes a mistake because he’s a human being lambaste him in the press.
“My view hasn’t changed on the player, I’m a big fan and I’m glad he’s here, I’m delighted he’s signed a new deal”, he added.
Rangers will be without the services of both Morelos and Kyle Lafferty, who is cup-tied, against Aberdeen in the semi-final at Hampden Park next month.
