I’LL GO FOURTH AND CONQUER
STEVEN GERRARD wants to attack the Premiership title run-in with a fourpronged strike force.
The Rangers gaffer expects Kemar Roofe to return from injury next week and complement the attacking trio of in-form Alfredo Morelos, veteran Jermain Defoe and Swiss ace Cedric Itten.
In the previous two league campaigns, the Ibrox side have relied too much on Morelos’ goals and have eventually come up short as they looked to challenge Old Firm rivals Celtic for the title.
But Gerrard is now top heavy with forwards and he hopes that firepower can take them to the top-flight flag honours.
Ahead of today’s clash with Motherwell at Fir Park, the Ibrox gaffer (below) said: “Having four strikers has certainly given me more options.
“It has also given me more headaches, in terms of selection.
“But I welcome having that amount of firepower in the group, not just to start games but also to call on from the bench if need be.
“When Motherwell scored early at Ibrox recently and we were trying to break them down the subs were a big reason we went on to win the game.
“So to have those options has been very pleasing.”
Gerrard hailed the backing of Gers chiefs and added: “The board’s support with that at the start of the season was vital in giving me that firepower.
“Hopefully we can continue to maintain our consistency in terms of goals until the end of the season – because that could be the difference.
“We’ve got one out in Roofe but hopefully by the middle of next week we’ll have four strikers again.
“That could be a big help moving forward.”
After his stunning display against Aberdeen, Gerrard was asked if he’d ever felt like giving up on 24-year-old Morelos and his answer was
unequivocal. He said: “Alfredo is a guy and a player that I will never give up on.
“That’s because of what he’s given me in terms of goals as well as the help and support he’s given the team.
“I’ll never give up on my players, that’s for sure.
“Alfredo is in a better place now because he’s off the back of scoring two goals in a man-ofthe-match performance.
“So you can imagine, he’s on a high at the moment.
“He is a challenge, of course. There’s the language for a start and he hasn’t always got things right.
“But you have to take into consideration Alfredo’s age. “He needs a manager and a coaching staff who are going to support him at the right times,” added the manager.