STEVEN Gerrard last night admitted Alfredo Morelos must improve his temperament to realise his full potential after the striker got sent off for the fourth time this season in Rangers’ 4-2 win over Aberdeen.
Morelos scored twice in the first-half to give the visitors a 3-1 half-time lead in the Ladbrokes Premiership match at Pittodrie and take his tally for the 2018/19 campaign to 23.
However, the Colombian forward was shown a straight red card by referee Bobby Madden along with Scotland centre half Scott McKenna after a flashpoint in the 54th minute.
READ MORE: Five things we learned from Aberdeen 2 Rangers 4
Gerrard was delighted with his side’s overall display as well as a result that moved them five points clear of their opponents in second place in the top flight table.
However, the Liverpool and England great admitted his striker, who had his ordering off against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in August rescinded on appeal, must address his discipline problems.
“The finish (for Morelos’s second goal) was stunning,” he said. “We were right behind it. It was an excellent finish. He had another chance for the hat-trick as well before he came off
“But I think for Alfredo to go to the next level or to improve he will have to channel his aggression.
“I'll be honest, I haven't had the chance to analyse the incident back so I can't tell you if Scott deserved a red or whether Alfredo did.
“They've had a fantastic battle up until that point. Scott was physical with Alfredo, Alfredo was physical with them.
“They are top players, but unfortunately they have both ended up with red cards. Whether they deserved it I'll have to analyse it.”
Gerrard added: “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.
“I’m doing everything in my power to help the kid grow as a footballer and as a person. I am not going to take the physical side away from him because he’ll get bullied out there. He’ll get bullied every game because he’s up against some strong physical players.
“But for Alfredo to get to the next level and move in his career – and for people to trust him – he does have to channel it in the right way.”
Gerrard was pleased to see Rangers defeat Aberdeen, who had beaten them twice and drawn with them once previously this season, for the first time in his tenure as manager
“I thought tonight we stood up to them all over the pitch,” he said. “A big part of the plan was about standing up to them and then using our quality. I thought we looked really dangerous at times.”
“It's always eventful. Rangers against Aberdeen, a lot of emotion on the pitch and on both benches. They were physical, we were physical.
“There were goals, sending-offs, bookings, it had the lot so you have to credit the players why we all love football at the top.”
Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, felt that Morelos was the difference between the two sides - and Madden got both red card decisions correct.
But he was unhappy that Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor wasn’t punished by the match official for a challenge on Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson in the second-half.
“When Morelos is on his game like he was tonight, he’s a star,” he said. “But after he went off it felt like one-way traffic.
“My first thoughts with McKenna is that both red cards are right. McKenna is maybe guilty with a bit of naivety with Morelos, as he’s got previous with his antics.
“Maybe for another refereeing decision – McGregor coming through Ferguson – and us not rushing our chances, we might have took something out of the game.
“It’s a sore one for us, going five points behind Rangers. There’s still lots of football to be played. We’ll use tonight as extra motivation.”
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