Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MOR TROUBLE FOR STEVIE
Angry Alfredo to miss semi as Middleton stars with a double
STEVEN GERRARD once sneaked unnoticed into a fancy dress party at Liverpool on board a mobility scooter – but he’s in danger of being driven round the bend by Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian hitman was on target as Rangers set up a semi-final against Aberdeen although it will take more than a decent disguise to get him to Hampden.
Morelos (inset) nabbed the third as his side cruised into the last four albeit only after he picked up a crazy yellow to earn a suspension that will leave his boss tearing his hair out.
The 22-year-old blew a gasket when ref Bobby Madden played advantage rather than award a foul after being clattered by Jamie Adams.
He gave the whistler both barrels then refused when summoned him over for a chat. Andy Halliday had to drag his mate over but the damage was done.
The moment of madness has given Gerrard one heck of a Hampden headache with Kyle Lafferty cup-tied and Umar Sadiq the last frontman standing for the semi.
Morelos is proving to be as much a handful for his manager as he is for defences on what should have been a stress-free night for Gerrard.
This was no costume party as again his side looked the part.
Youngster Glenn Middleton came dressed up as a shooting star with a stunning double on his first start, while Nikola Katic also nodded home.
Ayr were always game but Ian Mccall’s men were no real match for the slick, new-look Govan side who will fancy their chance of motoring all the way to major silverware for the first time since 2011.
Gerrard could afford to give Allan Mcgregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Daniel Candieas, Lassana Coulibaly and Scott Arfield the night off.
Middleton’s wicked low ball was inches away from a Morelos opener before Danny Harvie stuck it out for a corner.
But it was only delayed a few seconds as Ryan Kent swung over the set-piece and Nikola Katic thumped his header home.
United felt they should have had a penalty when Alan Forrest was bumped by Jon Flanagan as the howls from the jam-packed away end went ignored.
Moments later it was two after another magical moment for Middleton. The finish was cool but it was all about the ball from Halliday as the converted full-back delicately curled a cracker right into his path.
Within minutes of the second half starting, Morelos spun and finished from close range as Gers ended the tie.
Kent nearly skipped in for a fourth as Ayr started to feel the pace but it was only a temporary reprieve as Middleton rammed home moments later.