Ayr United manager Ian McCall has suggested that Alfredo Morelos’ disciplinary record has cost Rangers any chance of being in the title race.
The Colombian has hit 29 goals in all competitions this season, but has also been dismissed five times, and McCall believes that his temper has prevented the Gers from pushing Celtic all the way in the league.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, as quoted by the Scottish Sun, commenting on Morelos’ inclusion on the Scottish PFA’s player of the year shortlist, he said: “I wouldn’t have had Morelos in it.
“So no, not for me.
“Morelos is a serious talent but I genuinely think there would have been a title race if he had kept his head.”
OPINION
It’s hard to say whether or not McCall is right or not here. On the one hand, Morelos has bagged nearly 30 goals this season, and has been, far and away, the most dangerous striker in Scotland. On the other, he has missed a large chunk of the season because of his inability to control his temper. That’s not acceptable, and Steven Gerrard will no doubt have been left fuming by his repeated issues. One red card is acceptable, two is excusable, but five is absolutely ridiculous, and certainly has put a real dampener on a season that should have been his breakout year. Think about the attention and the interest he has garnered, and then imagine he has played another 10 games and scored another eight goals. Suddenly you’re looking at a player the likes of which Scotland has not seen for some time, and the Gers could have an extra six points to their name. It’s a shame because Morelos has ruined himself this year.