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RANGERS A up re
BY JONATHAN MCFARLANE
ANDY HALLIDAY believes Alfredo Morelos’ attempts to stifle the burning fires within that landed him seven red cards in two seasons might be to blame for his loss of form.
The 28-year-old has described efforts to harness the Colombian’s talent and bring out his best form as “a fine line”.
But the former Rangers midfielder admitted that he hasn’t looked like the player who wreaked havoc in the Europa League last term.
And Halliday even joked about his ex-team-mate’s propensity to get himself into trouble as he admitted an on-form Morelos would be a bargain at £20million based on talent alone.
He said: “There’s a fine line with Alfredo. He’s had his disciplinary issues, the fact that he’s had 52 red cards in the last three years says it all!
“You want him to have that fire and drive in his belly but you also want to curb his discipline and calm down that temper.
“Sometimes it comes across that he’s not trying as hard but as he’s matured he’s trying not to get involved and be petulant.
“But I have felt I have been watching a different Alfredo so far this year.
“It’s good he managed to get a couple of goals in the St Mirren game but I don’t feel we have got the same performance as last year.
“For the first 18 months under Steven Gerrard he was outstanding and we are talking about values of £18-20m. Talking talent alone, that’s a bargain.
“But his form dipped in the last six months along with the rest of the team.
“For Rangers to demand that figure it’s going to be difficult because off the back of not just the disciplinary record but the fact he’s not playing because of his attitude.”
Asked if there is anything Gers players can do to ensure the striker is firing on all cylinders, Halliday was unsure the squad could have an impact.
He said: “I don’t speak the best Spanish so it is difficult. You’re just hoping to get the best and 100 per cent out of the player.
“But now it’s just got that feeling that his time at Rangers is up. Whether he’s desperate to get the move and force it through I don’t think there is much the players can do.
“The players now will just want to get it resolved as soon as possible and focus on what is a massive year for Rangers.”