Alfredo is good and no More
BY GARY RALSTON OSIJEK boss Zoran Zekic has told Alfredo Morelos: You’re good – but not great.
The Colombian put the Croats to the sword in the first leg of their Europa League clash last week.
However, Zekic isn’t convinced he is consistent enough to trouble them at Ibrox tonight.
Morelos has found form over the last seven days, with his performances against Osijek and Wigan in stark contrast to his displays in the previous round against Shkupi.
Zekic said: “There is a difference between players who perform at a good level and those who perform at the highest level.
“Good players play at their best one match in every five but those at the highest level deliver a performance every game.
“I hope in this game Morelos proves only he’s a good player.”
Osijek players queued up after the first leg to bemoan their fate after they enjoyed the bulk of possession.
They claimed stats, including a corner count of 12-3 and a shots tally of 17-3, proved they were the much better side.
Zekic added: “The players said we were the better team last week with reason – we played a good game in Osijek.
“We have players such as Borna Barisic who is a danger on the left.”
Zekic also confirmed his three main strikers, Gabrijel Boban, Muzafer Ejupi and Eros Grezda, have not travelled due to injury.
He said: “I’m really sorry I don’t have the attackers who are so important.” STEVEN GERRARD pulled on his boots as he ordered his Rangers players to raise the drawbridge again on fortress Ibrox.
Butterflies are beginning to flutter in the belly of the Light Blues boss ahead of the Euro clash with Osijek – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gerrard showed off a pair of new adidas predators on Instagram earlier this week and admits he was so excited he went out at the Hummel Training Centre and kicked half the kids in his squad.
They survived his tackles but it’s the ability of his players to prosper amid the expectation of another capacity crowd at Ibrox that has been focusing most of his attention.
Gerrard is backing his group to stand strong this season and declared himself satisfied with the direction they’re heading just two months into the job as they bid to qualify for the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
Rangers played 22 games across all competitions at home last season and won just 13 times as they went down to league defeats against Celtic and Hibs (twice), Hamilton, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.
He said: “My playing days are done. I joined in training yesterday and kicked a few of the young lads for 20 minutes. I’ve got new boots and when they come in it makes you want to play even more.
“I am enjoying the job and the role I’m in, the pressure and the buzz. This is what I wanted, this is what I missed when I stopped playing, that pressure of having to deliver in big games.
“These players are the lucky ones who can go out and play in front of one of the best atmospheres in world football. If that doesn’t excite or float your boat then you are in the wrong place. It’s important to start the game well against Osijek, lift the
crowd