Derek McInnes has expressed his admiration for Alfredo Morelos ahead of Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup showdown against Rangers on Sunday.
The Dons manager hailed the Colombian striker as the Glasgow club’s “star player and the one who can make a difference in tight games”.
McInnes delivered the news at his media conference on Friday morning, as quoted by the official Aberdeen Twitter account.
? Derek – Morelos is their star player and the one who can make difference in tight games. Max, James and Gary are all still in with a chance of being involved.
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) March 1, 2019
OPINION
McInnes recently experienced at first hand the true-blue calibre of Morelos, who ran the Aberdeen defence ragged in that infamous 4-2 triumph for Rangers at Pittodrie last month. The Colombian scored twice before his hot temper got the better of him and he was red carded after tussling with Dons defender Scott McKenna, who also got his marching orders. Morelos missed Rangers’ subsequent two league games but returned with a bang in midweek when he scored in the 4-0 demolition of Dundee, his 16th league goal of a campaign that had made it abundantly clear why he is the outstanding player in Steven Gerrard’s side. In all competitions, Morelos has netted 28 goals from 40 matches – as well as supplied 11 assists – and is on course to win the Scottish player of the year gong. He is far more than just a poacher, though, as McInnes knows only too well. Morelos can link the play, run in behind, stretch centre-backs and put his body in where it hurts. His technique is good enough for him to play at the highest level.