Stoke midfielder and Scotland international Charlie Adam has said that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will be demanding the exit of Alfredo Morelos if he cannot change his disciplinary issues at Ibrox.
The Gers hitman has been in terrific form for the club this season, netting 17 goals across all competitions, but has found himself on the wrong side of officials on numerous occasions, picking up three red cards – one rescinded – with the latest coming against Aberdeen.
Speaking of the Colombian, Adam says he has been given plenty of chances by Gerrard and that his patience will be wearing thin.
Talking on Jim Whites’ Talksport show, (06/12, 10:00) he said: “I think it’ll difficult to say, ‘One more strike,’ because he’s their best player. He’s their main striker and he’s scored goals. It’ll be difficult.
“He’s still young but he’s got to learn quickly.Eventually, Steven will have to say, ‘Listen I’m going to have to get rid of him because of his ill-discipline’. He keeps backing him up and giving him an opportunity. You can’t afford to keep letting the manager down.
“Eventually there’s got to be a point where the club and Steven have just got to say, ‘Listen you need to sort yourself out or you won’t play.'”
Opinion
Adam probably has experience, either of his own or of his teammates, of managers telling them that they are not wanted any more, but are Morelos’ discipline issues really going to lead to that? Not in a month of Sundays. He is far too good to be dropping to the bench or kicking out the club entirely and while there will continue to be frustrations over his record when it comes to yellow and red cards, that will be something the manager looks to work on. There is no point threatening the youngster – all he would do is look to try and find another club where he can get paid the same or more and play how he likes to play. What Gerrard needs to do is take him under his wing, try to channel his aggressive play in the right manner and get a supremely talented striker out of it. Morelos is going nowhere unless a club come in and offer big money – regardless of how his temperament might be letting the side down.