GERRARD: ALF OWES ME ONE
FROM BACK PAGE strike from Dmitri Sysuev before Morelos saw red in the 37th minute.
Gerrard lavished praise on his players after asking for heroes and warriors following their first-leg win at Ibrox on a night he reckons the glorious nine outlived even his demand.
But the second red card of the season for Morelos, who is set to sign a new deal, has left Gerrard demanding payback as Rangers prepare to head into the lions’ den at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.
He said: “I don’t want to criticise anyone because it’s a big achievement and the players should be congratulated.
“Jon and Alfredo have played a big part in getting us to where we are.
“Alfredo will know himself. He’s still young, he’s going to make mistakes, he’s human.
“I love him, I’ll back him, but at the same time he needs to help me now. He needs to really not get involved and just focus on his football because he is a helluva player.
“I’ll have no problem trusting him at Celtic Park at all. I trust the player. I love the player. You’ll see soon how much I think of him.
“In the coming days I hope we will manage to get the deal signed.
“But what I need from Alfredo – and what the players need – is for him to take more responsibility.
“The players love him. He’s a joker in the pack and they know what he gives them. But he just needs to keep channelling it in the right way because otherwise referees won’t keep you on the pitch.”
Gerrard, euphoric at the performance of his nine men and with his first major achievement as a boss, hailed his team as they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games. He said: “I’m sure the emotions of Jon and Alfredo are a bit mixed and they will feel they have let the lads down.
“But the
lads rolled their sleeves up and bailed them out. Tonight we have become one and become a team.
“A team born? I think so. We had our first bump in the road at Motherwell. I could see a few people in the dressing room making noises and sounds.
“I said to them, ‘It doesn’t work like that, you can’t achieve things unless you’re strong and you stick together,’ and tonight we have become a team.
“I asked for heroes and warriors but they’ve gone beyond that. It’s some achievement but I want my players to get the credit.
“I came in on day one and asked too much from them, every single one of them. But they have given me that and more.
“In terms of pride and satisfaction, that’s right up there with my playing days.
“It’s about trophies and success and it always will be at this club. But go back to 12 months ago and to when I walked in the door, these players have given an almighty effort to turn it round and give the fans something to smile about.”
Rangers were scheduled to arrive back in Glasgow at midnight to prepare for the Old Firm derby.
Gerrard said: “It’s not ideal preparation to play a large chunk of a game five hours away on a plane with nine men. But every challenge, every hurdle, they’ve done their best to try and get over it.
“Tonight’s about players enjoying the flight home and enjoying what they have achieved. They have been superb.”
Gers’ third-choice keeper Jak Alnwick has joined Scunthorpe on loan until January.