Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard hasn’t been hugely impressed by Umar Sadiq since joining the Ibrox side.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he is primarily to blame for Alfredo Morelos’s suspension against Aberdeen next month.
The Colombian marksman will miss the Scottish League Cup semi-final with the Dons after picking up a yellow card in the win over Ayr United in midweek.
Morelos had already picked up a caution in the previous round and will subsequently miss the clash with Aberdeen, giving the Rangers manager a problem because Kyle Lafferty is cup-tied.
Umar Sadiq is Gerrard’s only other centre-forward option but the Gers boss claimed earlier this week that he wanted more from the Nigerian, who has only played 26 minutes since joining on a season-long loan from Roma this past summer.
Gerrard told The GET: “When Lafferty is cup tied and I am not seeing the real Umar Sadiq, sometimes decisions… you have to take those risks as a manager. But, I have got it wrong so I am to blame [playing Morelos against Ayr].
“I have not spoken to him about it. Alfredo aside, if someone does that tackle on you, more often than not you are going to have a go at the referee.
“I have seen that many, many times whether you are young or old. For me, it was a bad challenge on him but we have come out of it on the wrong side unfortunately.”
It certainly seems as if Sadiq has a long way to go before he proves himself as a useful asset at Rangers.
But he should be completely focused on the semi-final clash with Aberdeen. It could be his big chance to prove what he can do, but the question can he impress Gerrard enough between now and then to warrant a starting spot.
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