SFA SLAMMED OVER MORELOS
Novo slams SFA over Morelos’ treatment
AS Someone who knows the other side of Alfredo morelos — the smiling, quiet-living guy far removed from his on-field persona — nacho novo bristled at the raw deal he felt his friend was receiving.
The former Rangers striker took to social media last Friday to lambast the SFA after morelos failed to have a yellow card for simulation overturned.
Accusing the disciplinary decision-makers of ‘ruining the game’ in an outspoken rant, the Spaniard was scathing about the call to uphold the booking Kevin Clancy dished out in a Scottish Cup replay defeat against Aberdeen following a challenge from Andrew Considine.
A few days on and morelos is again waiting to discover whether he will be back at loggerheads with the governing body.
The Colombian pushed Kirk Broadfoot in response to the Kilmarnock defender treading on his heels at the end of the first half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ibrox, with SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte having until this afternoon to decide whether any retrospective action is merited.
novo believes Broadfoot, a one-time Ibrox team-mate, was indulging in a spot of premeditated provocation.
And while he has told morelos he must learn not to react in such circumstances, he remains adamant the 29-goal forward is due a break from the SFA after last week’s call by a three-person appeal panel.
‘I was angry because I’m quite honest and I just hate things like that,’ said novo (below). ‘I was a bit cheeky on the post, but they are destroying the game.
‘now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want any help and we (Rangers) don’t need any help. We don’t ask for favours or anything, but you can see it.
‘The SFA should bring people in not related with Rangers or Celtic and make a panel where things can be worked out.
‘If they think that is Alfredo diving, then they must be drinking or something. It’s just embarrassing if they think that’s a dive. It’s a penalty all day long.
‘Referees have got a hard job, don’t get me wrong. The bit that’s wrong is when they review it and still think it’s a dive.’
You suspect novo might give further vent to his agitation if morelos is hit with a notice of Complaint for the confrontation with Broadfoot. ‘How many players do you see pushing people? That’s the game,’ he argued. ‘People are starting to kill the game now. There are so many rows and stupid things like players being punished for celebrating with the fans.’ morelos rescued a point for Rangers with a superbly-taken second-half goal at the weekend. That, stressed novo, is the best way for the 22-year-old to answer the kind of goading put forward by Broadfoot. ‘That’s been planned,’ insisted novo. ‘Kirk knows how to wind people up and that’s what it’s all about. Players will target strong personalities for a reaction. ‘everybody wants to win and if you can get rid of the other team’s top goalscorer it’s a big help. obviously, people are trying to wind him up but I tell him the way to shut them up is bully them, just play your game and score goals.’
Getting that message through is the tricky part. While Steven Gerrard has publicly backed morelos throughout his disciplinary issues, novo wonders if privately hitting him in the pocket might have an impact.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I love Alfredo to death. He is a good pal of mine,’ said novo.
‘But I think the best way could be to fine a player. not fine them for the club. Just fine them and keep it for a dinner for the whole team or something.
‘That’s what I would try to do. I don’t like fining players. But if I tell you one, two or three times...
‘But it’s Alfredo’s reaction and it is how he is. It is in his nature. And if you take that from him maybe he is not the same player.’
novo got to know morelos when helping out former manager Pedro Caixinha for a spell last season, forming a bond through a shared native tongue.
‘He’s totally different in private than when he’s on the park,’ said novo, an Ibrox player between 2004 and 2010.
‘He’s a nice boy, speaks to everybody, has a laugh in the changing-room with the guys. even when he scores on the park, he doesn’t look happy, but, away from it, he smiles a lot.
‘I’ve been out with him for meals. We don’t talk much about football. I just told him a few times he needed to control himself more on the park.
‘He is here with his wife, which really helps. He also has a very good friend in Daniel Candeias. Alfredo lives quietly away from football. He is a just a family boy.
‘It is the right thing to do as a player, especially in Glasgow. We know what it is like if you are with Rangers or Celtic. You are always going to get some abuse.’
The question now is whether this will be morelos’ last season in Scottish football.
With clubs across europe circling, he told media in his homeland that ‘nothing is certain’ beyond the summer.
‘I told Alfredo it was better to stay here and play for a couple of years more,’ added novo.
‘He is still young and he will always have opportunities to move somewhere else.
‘He made his name with Rangers. Including with the Colombia national team. So he is going in the right direction. Hopefully, we can keep him.’