BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
Candeias joy at Morelos walking with giants
HAVING fulfilled the role of a big brother during their time together in Scotland, Daniel Candeias feels a sense of fraternal pride at the company Alfredo Morelos is keeping this week.
The Rangers striker was flanked by James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, superstars from Bayern Munich and Monaco, when pictured at the Colombia kit launch in Japan.
Rubbing shoulders with such world-class talent is, Candeias believes, destined to be a more frequent feature of Morelos’ future. Indeed, the Portuguese winger is confident that his 22-year-old colleague’s potential can take him to the very top level of the game.
His 29 goals for the Ibrox club this term have been rewarded by a call-up from new Colombia manager Carlos Queiroz for friendly matches against Japan and South Korea.
Having made his international debut last year, those games could provide an opportunity for Morelos to become established within his national squad. Queiroz has already described him as part of the ‘future’ of Colombian football.
‘I think he can get to that level,’ said Candeias when asked about the photo circulated on social media. ‘When you play with great players like that, you will only improve more. It is important for him to play with guys like James and Falcao, who are great players in world football.
‘Alfredo is still only 22 years of age, so, if he continues these performances, I think he can reach that level. I have not spoken to him about the picture, but I will soon.
‘He has improved a lot this year. All of the players have. I am happy with him and, of course, it’s important for him to score a lot goals.
‘I like playing with Alfredo. All the players help him because he can’t do anything alone. We all help him because he’s 22 years old and he will improve more in the years to come.’
But can that improvement continue within Scottish football?
Candeias believes Morelos should stick around for at least another campaign, but is well aware his scoring feats are attracting interest from across Europe.
‘It’s important for him,’ said the 31-year-old. ‘I think Rangers is a great club and it has helped Alfredo a lot. ‘I think if he stays one more year in Scotland, it would be good for him. But, of course, if you score goals like this season, maybe you leave Rangers for another club. That’s football. It’s normal in football.
‘Alfredo has a strong mentality, even though he is a young boy. He doesn’t change much when he hears about stories saying he could move to another club or leave Rangers. He doesn’t think about that.’
Candeias has taken Morelos under his wing since both were signed by Pedro Caixinha in the summer of 2017. He insists the angry image portrayed on the field is not indicative of an engaging, fun-loving personality.
‘Am I a bit like a big brother? Yes,’ smiled Candeias. ‘Alfredo speaks and understands English, but I speak Spanish with him.
‘It’s natural that I am close to Alfredo. But all the people in the dressing room help Alfredo and he is happy at Rangers.
‘Alfredo is so funny in the dressing room. All the people at the club like him. He is a great team-mate. He is joking all the time with the other players.
‘He does everything. When you are with (Kyle) Lafferty and Alfredo... it’s a big problem!’
Four red cards (one rescinded) and 15 bookings this term mean Morelos has made headlines as much for his temperament as his goals. So does Candeias ever worry about the impact of those controversies on him?
‘No. Alfredo understands English but he doesn’t see the news,’ he added. ‘It’s better for him not to understand English sometimes!
‘This season, he has had too many red cards but I think it will help him for the future.’
The SFA decision not to pursue any disciplinary action for his skirmish with Kirk Broadfoot means Morelos is free to face Celtic on Sunday week. An Old Firm goal is one thing missing from the Colombian’s CV, but Candeias doesn’t believe that will prove a burden.
‘Of course he wants to score against Celtic and he has had opportunities to do that,’ the winger said. ‘But Alfredo doesn’t think about that. He just plays.
‘Alfredo has scored in big games in the Europa League. He has scored a lot of goals this year and that’s important for him.’
Rangers now trail their rivals by ten points following a four-game winless streak that has also seen them exit the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen. But Candeias is not about to concede an eighth successive title to Celtic.
‘I don’t think it is over,’ he said. ‘We have eight games left and we play against Celtic twice, so, mathematically, we can win it and it is important we look forward.
‘It has been a tough time for us. Of course we want to win, but, when teams play against Rangers, they give 200 per cent. We can only look forward, look to the next game, recover the squad and be ready for the next game.’
Candeias was replaced at half-time in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock, with manager Steven Gerrard later claiming he looked weary.
‘I feel a little tired,’ the player admitted. ‘We have a lot of games this season and, sometimes, your body will feel the effects, but now it is important I use this break.
‘We have a time without games and we can recover the bodies and make sure we are ready for next week.
‘I think I will be at 100 per cent for the match against Celtic. The time to recover is important and I will be ready for Celtic.’