It’s no secret that Alfredo Morelos is a frequent member of the referee’s book.
As well as being the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with 17 goals, Morelos is joint fourth in the yellow card disciplinary record with eight cards accumulated so far and the Colombian is top of the red card standings with three red card this season.
And that’s just in the league. In all competitions, Morelos has racked up a whopping 19 yellow cards this season as well as being sent off four times. For some comparison, the only player in the Premier League to come remotely close to that number is Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who has been booked 11 times throughout this season.
For all of Morelos’ attacking quality, the Colombian international’s tendency to get booked in every other game is becoming a real problem for Rangers. The striker has missed six games this season through suspension, the latest being the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen which Steven Gerrard’s side ultimately lost.
Would Morelos’ presence in the squad that night put Rangers in the League Cup final? Who knows. But one thing for certain is that the striker’s booking problem isn’t a sign of him being reckless, it’s a sign of him putting the club before himself.
Players playing for the badge rather than for personal gain are hard to come by in the age of football where most players for top clubs are on £100,000-a-week contracts as well as being endorsed for millions by brands, and Morelos is a testament to this statement.
The 22-year-old rejected a big-money move to China earlier in the year and claimed eager to learn and better himself as a person in Scotland, and it is evident from his performances on the pitch that Morelos is a striker passionate about playing for Rangers.
Morelos’ bookings might be abnormal for a striker, but in an age where players are more money motivated than ever before, the Colombian is a breath of fresh air for putting the club first rather than his personal interests.
Rangers fans, what are your honest thoughts on Morelos? Join the discussion by commenting below…