Journalist Mark Guidi has sent a stern warning to new Rangers boss Michael Beale as he ponders Alfredo Morelos’ future at Ibrox.
The Colombian is out of contract at the end of the season and amid recurring disciplinary issues it will be interesting to see which way Beale interprets his situation.
Former Hibernian striker Tam McManus has encouraged the Gers to cut all ties with the fiery centre-forward having been recently pictured lounging in his homeland when he could perhaps have been working on his game.
The 26-year-old was left at home by Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the club travelled to Holland to take on PSV Eindhoven in a pivotal Champions League qualifier back in August following concerns over his fitness and behaviour.
Speaking on the GO Radio Football Show Guidi said: (28:12) “I would look at Morelos’ history and Michael Beale will be well aware there’s a great phrase that goes around the coaching circle, all the programs and all the courses when they’re talking about players and how you deal with problem players and the saying is ‘a leopard never changes its spots’.
“So you can give a player one chance, right ok twice you’ll give him a second chance, see after that you’re never going to change him. I think that applies to Morelos.
“So what Michael Beale will know is if I get Morelos to extend his contract every so often I’m going to face a problem. He’s going to let me down because the history is there, the evidence is there of that happening.
“It’s whether he wants to have that extra headache as manager a couple of times a season or does he feel it’s worth the pain because he knows what he’ll get from him on a Saturday or does he think you know what I’d rather cut my ties.”
TIF Thoughts on Morelos and Rangers…
Should Rangers sell Morelos in January?
Yes
No
The 11-cap frontman has scored 115 goals in a Bears jersey and has netted 11 times in back-to-back Scottish Premiership campaigns.
However, this season he has found himself behind Antonio Colak in the starting line-up with his only league start coming in the final game before the mid-season break.
Journalist Stephen McGowan believes that he looks out of shape and that isn’t the first time his conditioning has been called into question.
Charlie Nicholas has taken aim at the £33k-per-week rogue in the past (Sky Sports) but under Steven Gerrard, with Beale as assistant, Morelos was involved in 120 goals in 158 appearances so it remains to be seen what happens with the troublesome talent.