Candeias: It is like Alfredo is my second baby
Daniel Candeias sometimes feels like he has two children, instead of one, when he’s with team-mate Alfredo Morelos.
But the Rangers winger says taking all of the aggression out of the Colombian striker isn’t the answer to his disciplinary problems.
Candeias believes that bit of devilment makes Morelos a force to be feared, in the same way that it fuels Spain hitman Diego Costa.
The 30-year-old Portuguese player is father to two-year-old Alfonso and also looks out for 22-year-old Alfredo!
He joked: “It’s like I have another baby!
“It’s not too bad because Alfredo is a clever guy and it’s good to be there to help him.
“I am his friend and I will do what I can for him.
“He’s a quiet guy away from football. On the pitch, he’s a different person.
“I talk with him all the time about not to confront other players when he is in a game.
“But that is part of the game of Alfredo. It’s like Diego Costa. If you don’t go in with that fight, you are not the same.
“It’s important for him. Don’t forget, he is very young still.
“He is 22 and there is so much more time for him to improve as a player and to concentrate on making himself better at football.
“It’s normal you make mistakes as a young player.
“You need more experience and through that you improve your football.”
Morelos picked up his third red card of the season against Aberdeen at the start of the month.
He had already been due to miss last Sunday’s clash with Dundee after collecting a 13th yellow card of the campaign.
Candeias, however, is convinced the penny has finally dropped when it comes to discipline.
He went on: “Sometimes on the pitch you are not thinking with the head.
“Alfredo now, I think, has been thinking about the red cards and the team has been helping him because he’s so important.
“Now let’s forget the red cards and score more goals – that’s what is important.”
Rangers are looking to bounce back against Hamilton Accies after two disappointing league performances and a Europa League exit at the hands of Rapid Vienna.
Candeias travelled to the Austrian capital with his team-mates despite being unable to play after being sent off against Spartak Moscow.
He said: “It was frustrating for me not to play, as I wanted to help.
“But I still wanted to be there. I asked the gaffer if I could go with the team as it was such an important game.
“It is important we all stick together.
“We have done well in Europe this season, but now we have to concentrate on the league.”