The Glasgow Rangers boss spoke after the Ibrox ace was sent off against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has warned Alfredo Morelos that he needs to work on his self-discipline if he wants to prosper as a player but at the same time insisted he will not seek to take his physical side away from him.
The Colombia international displayed the best and worst facets of his game in Wednesday night’s 4-2 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, taking his season tally to 23 with a brace but getting sent off for the third time this term after a coming together with Scott McKenna.
Aberdeen were also reduced to ten men as McKenna saw red for his part in the clash with Morelos and Rangers managed not only to hold out until full time but added a late goal through Jermain Defoe that keeps them six points behind Celtic in the title race.
Although Morelos’ red card was deemed as contentious by some Gers fans, with Twitter reaction to the game update yielding a mixed reaction, the player is still looking at a two-match ban, though the club could potentially try to appeal referee Bobby Madden’s decision.
Speaking after the game, Gerrard is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: “I think for Alfredo to go to the next level or to improve he will have to channel his aggression… if Alfredo is in the wrong then he’ll deserve the red card.
“He’ll then be missing for two games and that’s how he’ll get punished because he hates missing games. But I’m doing everything in my power to help the kid grow as a footballer and as a person… I’m not going to take the physical side away from him because he’ll get bullied out there against some strong physical players.”
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