Jack backs Colombian to recover and pans missiles

RYAN JACK has backed Alfredo Morelos to quickly recover from his Fir Park dismissal and revealed the Rangers players were targeted by a shower of missiles during the celebration flashpoint.

A cup of Bovril, a lighter and coins were among the objects thrown as Morelos greeted his second-half goal during yesterday’s 2-0 win at Fir Park by making an underarm gesture in front of the Motherwell support.

The Colombian striker, booked earlier for a challenge on Jake Carroll, received a second yellow card from referee Don Robertson to blemish his much-improved disciplinary record this term.

Jack didn’t seek to excuse Morelos for his part in the incident, but defended players expressing emotion towards fans willing to place them under fire.

‘There were a few coins and whatever else,’ said Jack. ‘We don’t complain. We just get on with it.

‘If people are going to throw missiles and coins and whatever else at you, I think you have a right to celebrate. That’s how I see it and I stand by it. But the referee has seen it differently.

‘Alfredo has been excellent this season. I think his discipline has been unbelievable.

‘Today, he maybe let it get the better of him and maybe over-celebrated towards the Motherwell fans. But Alfredo will bounce back.

‘He has been superb for us this season. He has won us so many games and scored such a lot of goals. He will bounce back.

‘He has just seen himself going to celebrate. I don’t think he has meant anything by it. The referee said that, by the law, it is a yellow card. It’s a frustrating one because he has been on fire for us.’

Morelos netted his 27th goal of the season to seal victory for Rangers after Nikola Katic opened the scoring in the first half.

Sent off five times in the previous campaign, the Colombian will now be banned for Friday night’s trip to face Hibernian at Easter Road.

That will almost certainly mean a first start for Jermain Defoe since last month’s win at Hamilton, with Jack confident the veteran striker can prove a more than adequate replacement.

‘It’s a credit to the gaffer and the staff because they pick the squad at the start of the season and get us ready,’ added the midfielder.

‘I see Jermain training every day and he is outstanding. He works hard, probably as hard as any professional player I have ever seen. He is the first one in and last out every day.

‘I’m sure Jermain is desperate for his chance and we have full belief that when he comes in, there is always a chance he will score.’ Jack and Motherwell centre-back Declan Gallagher were booked by Robertson following a confrontation between players as they left the field at half-time.

However, the Ibrox star claimed to be mystified as to why he was singled out.

‘You ask the question and you don’t get answers,’ said Jack. ‘He just said it was a caution for half-time in the tunnel. But I was standing at the changing room door, so I don’t know the answer to that.’

Despite the elements of controversy, this was a solid ending to a huge week for Rangers.

Steven Gerrard’s side reached the last 32 of the Europa League last Thursday evening, providing a positive response to the heartbreak of losing the Betfred Cup final to Celtic.

‘We are delighted with the result and the performance,’ said Jack. ‘It is always a tough game at Fir Park.

‘Motherwell are on the back of three wins and we knew they would have fancied their chances today. But we came here, stood up and won the match.

‘The two games prior to this were tough. The cup final was a tough one to take and Thursday was hard as well because we had to dig in at the end.

‘There was no time for us to feel tired or sorry for ourselves. We just had to pick ourselves up and go again.

‘We hadn’t won any of the last three games, so it was important we won today. It was important for our belief that we started winning again.’