Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ALF’S LOVING IT
Gerrard insists star striker Morelos is back to his best...& hungry for even more goals
STEVEN GERRARD reckons Alfredo Morelos has got his hunger back and is dreaming of a goal feast in the Champions League.
The Rangers hitman smashed club legend Ally Mccoist’s European goal record with strike No.22 in Thursday’s 3-3 thriller at Benfica.
Colombian ace Morelos looked back to his best after an uncertain summer as Gers slipped up late on in Portugal but remained out in front in Europa League
Group D.
And Gerrard (right) believes there is more to come from his star striker who has a burning desire to hit the net et with Gers at the very highest level. evel
The Ibrox boss, who won the manager of the month award for October, said: “He was very happy after the game about his record-breaking achievement.
“I think he’s got his hunger back and you can see it in his eyes, he wants to go and score more goals in the competition.
“I know that he’s got dreams and aspirations of playing in the Champions League one day, which is good for him.
“In terms of where he’s at, the goals are back, the hunger is back and the sharpness is back.
“I don’t really like comparing him to the Alfredo of old because it’s about the now and what he is offering moving forward. But he’s definitely in a better place in terms of his form and how he looks. He’s smiling and seems happy which is fantastic f or everyone connected with Rangers.”
Gerrard is also on a high despite his side blowing a 3-1 lead against 10 men in Portugal as they got caught with a couple of late strikes to see two points slide.
The Ibrox gaf fer i s i nstead looking for his Premiership leaders to maintain m their impressiv sive momentum against s struggling Hamilton at I Ibrox tomorrow.
Gerrard said: “I’d c certainly have taken seven s European po points fr om nine befor b e f o re a b a l l wa s kicked. We’ve started ever so well and of course we have certain regrets that it’s not nine out of nine.
“But we have to remember where we were a few years back. We have to remember who we’re competing against and show the group respect.
“We also have to try to stay at the level we’re at now and keep improving. Hamilton will come and pose a threat. They’re capable. They’ve done it before so we don’t need any reminders or wake-up calls going into this one.”
Striker Jermain Defoe is back after sitting out Benfica.