Gers boss: Alfie can make it to Russia
GRAEME MURTY has backed Alfredo Morelos to make a bid for a World Cup berth and realise his international dreams with Colombia.
The striker has netted 15 times so far this term for Rangers as he has become an integral part of the Light Blues’ plans following his move from HJK Helsinki.
The Ibrox board turned down an £8million bid from Chinese Super League side Beijing Renhe for their top scorer last month.
And boss Murty believes Morelos can continue to go from strength to strength and earn a cap call for the finals in Russia.
He said: “We haven’t had any contact yet, but all Alfredo can do is continue to be outstanding.
“If he’s the top scorer in this league, then I have no doubt they will be looking at him.
“There are areas Alfredo needs to improve, there are areas where he can get better, we can look at his clinical nature, how many chances does he need to score a goal?
“We can definitely get that number down, we can definitely make him
sharper and brighter, but I think having that international ambition is a good way to light a fire for a young man like Alfredo where goals are his main thing.
“But we can use t hose goals as a stepping stone to bigger and better things for him and he can realise ‘you know what? I can do these things while being here at a massive stage.’ Every other game we are on TV and we have t o utilise t hat as a positive.”
Morelos has previously represented Colombia at Under-17 and Under-20 level but he has yet to feature for the first team.
The 21-year-old has the perfect platform upon which to shine in the second half of the campaign and Murty (inset) is confident his star striker can catch the eye at Ibrox.
He said: “I can’t offer him the carrot more, all I can show him is the opportunity.
“As far as I am concerned, success is merely opportunity and preparation combined.
“He will have the opportunity to be successful here but he has to make sure he prepares properly, he l ives properly, he works properly at his game and i s diligent. He is doing those things.
“We need to put him in front of those guys that are going to make that decision. “He has to make them aware of him, make them sit up and take notice and how do you do that? He has to score loads and loads and loads of goals.” Rangers were determined to hold on to Morelos last month as they refused to sell their prized asset in the final hours of the January transfer window. Defender James Tavernier has seen his fine form rewarded with a new contract this week and Morelos could also be offered fresh terms at Ibrox. Murty said: “People who are doing well will always be considered for extensions or upgrades on contracts. “If he is doing well, if Josh is doing well, if Declan is doing well, if Wes is doing well, we will be l ooking at all of the squad and making sure those guys are recompensed and they are understanding of our desire to grow something and build something. “As much as monetary terms, it is about selling a vision and showing them where we are going to be. “It is not where we are hoping to be, it is what we are planning and building towards being. Do you want t o be a part of it? “You put that in front of them and then talk about anything else that i s i n their mind. Those negotiations and conversations are going on all the time.”