Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has dropped a selection hint ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League fixture against Benfica with positive comments on Alfredo Morelos [Rangers FC Twitter].
The striker started Sunday’s 4-0 Premiership win over Aberdeen at Ibrox but was less than pleased to be subbed off for a rest in the 66th minute.
El Bufalo threw his gloves in frustration and stormed into the stands, with the reaction surprising his manager [Daily Mail].
Plenty has been said about the incident since but Gerrard confirmed on Wednesday morning that Colombian international is raring to go again ahead of the return of the Europa League.
“Alfredo is fine, we don’t want players smiling and happy when they are taken off the pitch,” he said, as quoted by the official Rangers FC Twitter.
“Alfredo is in a good place and is ready to go again tomorrow.”
These comments from Gerrard prove that he isn’t holding a grudge against Morelos and suggest that the player is in line to start for the Gers at Ibrox on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old is the club’s all-time record goalscorer in European competition and although he’s only netted once in his last nine Premiership appearances, he has two goals and an assist from three Europa League group stage outings this season.
Despite all the recruitment in the summer, Morelos is still the club’s best no.9 and he has a habit of finding himself in the right place at the right time in this competition.
Benfica are missing a number of first-team stars but they will still be difficult to break down at Ibrox and El Bufalo is key to the Gers’ hopes of victory.
