Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has insisted that striker Alfredo Morelos still has a huge role to play at the club and admits that he loves the forward, despite reported interest from abroad.
There were suggestions in the Express, as far back as in January, that the Colombian hitman was set for a move to Chinese side Beijing Renhe with a number of bids coming in for the player.
However, a move did not materialise and the 5ft 8in (source: Transfermarkt) forward stayed put at Ibrox, where he even went on to sign an improved contract with the club until 2021.
Following the opening of the summer window, speculation has fired up once more that there is supposed interest coming in from Fenerbahce in Turkey as reported by Fanatik.
But it would seem that judging from Gerrard’s comments, the Liverpool legend is keen to hold on to the forward.
As quoted on Radio Cylde and relayed in The Scottish Sun, the Gers boss said: “We love the player. The fans love the player.
“He’s a goal scorer. We know what he can add to this team and squad.
“If you’re asking me if his head has been turned that’s a question you’d have to ask the player himself.
“But where we stand right now he’s a Rangers player and I’m delighted to have him.”
And when it was put to him by the interviewee as to whether or not he thinks the 21-year-old has a role to play at the club next season, Gerrard’s reply was, “Yes I do, yes.”
OPINION:
This will be music to the ears of supporters of the Ibrox club to hear the manager openly speak out on a player they adore as well and have to keep hold onto if they are going to put up any kind of challenge on Celtic next season. Morelos’ form may have taken a dive following the rumours of interest in him from the Far East but he still continued to find the back of the net. The Colombian, who it’s easy to forget is still just 21, scored 18 goals in his debut campaign with the Light Blues in a total of 43 games – adding a further eight assists in that time. And now that Kenny Miller no longer has a part to play in the first team, the Gers are short in numbers going forward, which makes it an absolute necessity to hold on to the forward this window, as his exit from the club or not could be the difference between battling with Celtic for the Scottish Premier League title or fighting it out with Aberdeen once more for a second-place finish.