Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has made a surprising claim that he looked up to Galatasaray star Radamel Falcao during his own playing days, as quoted by the Scotsman.
Falcao is in Glasgow ahead of Thursday night’s winner-takes-all Europa League qualifier at Ibrox and despite claims that he could be rested [Scottish Sun], the Colombia legend is likely to lead the line for the visitors.
Gala manager, Fatih Terim, has said that he would play his strongest team in Glasgow [Glasgow Times] and the 34-year-old should be fresh after only playing 71 minutes of the goalless draw with Fenerbahce on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard has urged Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos to aspire to be like Falcao, while surprisingly admitting to looking up to the former Atletico Madrid star during his own playing career.
“I’ve read before today that Alfredo has an incredible amount of respect for Falcao, which is great,” said the Gers boss, as quoted by the Scotsman. “He should use Falcao as a role model and a hero for the level he is striving for, to have a similar type of career.”
“Falcao has been a world-class player for many, many years. He’s someone I myself admit looking up to as a player.
“In the game, every player has heroes and inspirations to try and follow. I’m sure that’s what Alfredo is doing because Falcao deserves all the credit he gets in the game. He has stayed at the top and delivered at the top for so long.”
Rangers boss Gerrard admits to looking up to Galatasaray star Falcao – Verdict
It’s easy to see why Alfredo Morelos admires Falcao. The Gers striker has only just begun his international career, while Galatasaray’s main man is Colombia’s top all-time goalscorer and has won silverware at big clubs likes River Plate, Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco.
The veteran’s record speaks for itself but it’s a little more surprising that Gerrard looked up to him during his own playing days.
Falcao came to England for an unsuccessful loan stint just as the Gers manager was winding down at Liverpool and preparing for a move to the MLS. As a midfielder, Gerrard obviously also played in a totally different position.
However, perhaps there was just a professional admiration for Falcao due to his outstanding goalscoring record in top overseas leagues and his achievements in European football, an arena in which the Rangers boss also excelled during the peak of his own highly-decorated career.
