Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes that veteran star Jermain Defoe is the perfect role model for young striker Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian was doing pretty well before the former England international’s arrival on loan from Bournemouth in January, but his four-goal salvo against Kilmarnock on Wednesday perhaps suggests he’s about to go to the next level.
Gerrard believes Defoe could hold the key: “I think Jermain is a perfect role model for Alfredo, he can use this to his benefit and keep growing. He can go and achieve anything he wants to,” he said via the club’s official Twitter account.
OPINION
This seems like an ideal situation for Rangers and for Morelos. The 22-year-old is a fabulous talent, his goal record for the club proves that, but he does need some guidance. He has a discipline problem, that’s undeniable. He has repeatedly picked up ludicrous red cards and has missed some vital games through suspension as a result. He needs someone like Defoe, who has been there and done it, to put an arm around him and show him what’s what. Defoe is one of the most experienced players in the game. He has achieved so much in his career and is arguably an even more natural goalscorer than Morelos. There’s no doubt that the younger man could benefit from the Englishman’s words of wisdom. Hopefully the Cherries loanee is able to get through to Morelos and help get him to calm down a little bit, that’s something that would help everyone at Ibrox out a lot.