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Exclusive: Alfredo Morelos talks racism, discipline and life at Rangers

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OhW

OhW 4,669

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Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos discusses racism, life in Glasgow and why he believes he is sometimes misunderstood in an exclusive wide-ranging interview with Sky Sports News' Craig Slater.

Racist abuse from the stands and in the streets of Glasgow will not drive Morelos away from his adopted city, as the Colombia forward describes how he's adjusted to the Old Firm goldfish bowl.

He explains why referees and the media misunderstand him, but admits he needs to improve his discipline or risk missing out on a move to one of Europe's top leagues. Not that he has any plans to leave Steven Gerrard's side, who he reckons are still capable of ending celtic's title dominance.

Morelos also reveals how football enabled him to give back to his community and helped him dodge a life of drug dealing and crime that many in his neighbourhood fell into.

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'Living in Glasgow is great but it is also complicated'

Morelos signed for Rangers in June 2017 yet this is the first time he's spoken at length about his time on Clydeside. His goals and the red cards have kept him in the headlines. Now he's opened up on a sinister side of his life in Scotland.

"Yes I've felt racism both on and off the pitch," he says. "It's very sad to feel that way but it's not something that affects me much. I just try to focus on my job which is scoring goals and winning matches.

"Sometimes it's frustrating when a crowd is throwing coins at me or throwing drinks at me, obviously saying racist things to me and making chants about my mother which is obviously very offensive. Those things affect my family and are frustrating but I am a strong person and I always believe things can be overcome with hard work. I just focus on my job and try to forget about these things.

"Playing in Old Firm games is the best feeling I've had in my football career. It's an incredible intensity and when you feel that passion from the crowd it makes you want to give everything you can on the pitch.

"Living in Glasgow is great but it is also complicated. The passion for football is incredible. Half the city loves me but half the city probably doesn't like me so much.

"I'm a person who likes to go out and meet people and go shopping and eat at restaurants but it's become difficult. Even though it's great to have people waiting for photos and to speak to you, it's also frustrating when people are insulting."

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'I won't be driven out of Scotland'

Morelos' family is about to increase in number with wife Yesenia expecting their first child, so is he actually worried about his safety? Could the pressure-cooker environment drive him out of Scotland?

"No. At this point my goal is to stay focused on my play and help Rangers stay focused on winning the title and trophies and if I do that I think everything will be calm and good for my family," he says. "I'm generally unfazed and it's more about my family and them feeling nervous about the situation."

Morelos' eyes lit up at the mention of Steven Gerrard. The Rangers boss is clearly a big part of the club's appeal. "It's very motivating playing for a legend like Gerrard," he adds. "Playing with my team-mates and this coaching staff feels like having my second family and now it's trying to implement those things to make sure we do the right things on the pitch."

 

Morelos on disciplinary record and being misunderstood

Morelos has arguably been Rangers' problem child. His goalscoring record has been eye-catchingly prolific and consistent. Fourteen goals in this year's Europa League before Christmas - including six in the group stages - saw him set a new record. Yet it is his red card tally that gains more attention. Talking about his disciplinary problems for the first time, he accepts he's got work to do.

He said: "Yes I feel there are times that I probably get treated differently from other players if they were in the same situation, but I also realise and the staff have been great to help me realise that I have to change my behaviour too. I've learned from some of my mistakes.

"I characterise myself as a player who is very physical. That's been a benefit to me over time as I've been able to withstand rough hits and hard tackles. I've never had any fear or been scared of any player in the opposing team or any rival.

"I think here in this league because of the physicality and because of the passion for football there's been times when I've been physical with my play and therefore I have received yellow cards and red cards perhaps sometimes unjustly.

"Now I'm working with my team-mates. I'm working with the staff here and I think they always have my back and are supporting me. Hopefully, I can solve this issue and learn to play in the way they are looking for here."

After five red cards last season he had been free from controversy this campaign. That is until December and the "up yours" signal at Motherwell and the "throat-slitting" sign at celtic Park. Morelos claims neither gesture was intended to be offensive.

"In the match against Motherwell we were winning a very important match and I scored a very important goal and I celebrated - I didn't mean to offend anyone," he insists.

"I think if you look back at the video I have done this celebration at home and at away matches, it is just part of my celebration in the moment and I don't even think about it. I think it was misunderstood if people think I was trying to offend someone or direct it at the opposing crowd.

"In the match against celtic we were winning in extra-time. I fell down, whether that is simulation or not that's up to the referee but afterwards it was very frustrating to hear elements of the crowd screaming at me saying offensive things and racist words. I wasn't trying to instigate or incite anything else.

"I just wanted them to stop and it was sort of a symbol saying 'come on guys the game's over, this doesn't need to continue during the match. I understand if you are criticising but now it's over'. I'm not someone who wants to start a fight with anyone, I don't have any problem with any fans, any race and any religion and so I hope to be treated that same way.

"I don't pay any attention to the press here because I know people are going to say positive and negative things about me but this doesn't really affect my life or my family.

"I try to take everything they say negative and use it as a positive as motivation or as a reminder that I am doing things on the pitch and that's why I am receiving so much attention from the press now.

"I am trying to raise a family, I am someone who I consider to be very calm off the pitch and nothing anyone can write about me can change who I am."

 

'I never shy away from fights on the pitch'

Morelos can talk about cultural differences but can only hide behind that excuse for so long. Yet does his upbringing at least illuminate what makes him snap? Faced with confrontation in a pressure situation does he return to the streets of Cerete, the Colombian town he grew up in?

"I never shied away from any fights ever since I was a kid when I was on the pitch but off the pitch, it's very different," he says.

"On the pitch, I try to show my passion to make the defenders feel my presence to fight for the crowd. Here playing for Rangers when I hear the crowd screaming my name or when I hear the supporters for the club it motivates me, inspires me to fight even harder for the club.

"I think anyone who knows me and watches me on the pitch knows I will do anything to win and you might see me on the pitch with a serious face because when I'm in the moment that's all that I feel, but when the game is over and we win I am smiling and I'm happy."

 

Avoiding a life of drugs and crime

Where Morelos came from was an unforgiving place. He returns to Cerete now regularly to oversee the foundation he's started, distributing food parcels and lecturing the young on better ways to live their lives.

"Cerete is a town that's poor, there isn't much infrastructure or opportunities for most people so most people are working just to afford food, just to afford the basics," he says.

"In my home, I didn't have electricity, we didn't have air conditioning in a place that averages 40 degrees every day and because of that people choose to go down a different route where there is faster and easier money.

"A lot of people I know didn't have opportunities so decided to work in the drug business and work in crime. I hope I can be an example to the people in my town so that people in Cerete can go down a different route and focus on improving their lives in a way that doesn't involve crime."

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'My target is 50 goals this season'

What route will he take? Morelos' short-term ambitions include a goal against celtic, which he believes God has ordained to come at the right time and a title with Rangers.

Beyond that, he's confident he could score goals in any of Europe's leagues. Linked with the Premier League and La Liga in recent transfer windows, is his disciplinary record a handicap to any move?

"Yes I can see how it could affect a potential move but I also know that scoring goals can always open more doors," he says. "Right now I feel that there are a lot of games left and hopefully, I can score 50 goals in the season and if I do what I need to do on the pitch with Rangers then everything will take care of itself.

"We have a saying in Colombia - 'goals are love' - and when I went to Finland I was able to score 30 plus goals and people wondered whether it was the strength of the league.

"Now I've come to Rangers and scored 30 plus goals and I feel that someone who scores goals like this scores goals anywhere.

"If I have the opportunity to play in another league I will score goals there as well. I'm a player who likes to be in the box and I like to finish but right now I am just focused on scoring as many goals for the rest of the season and this project with Rangers."

 

'Morelos is no angel, but he's no demon either'

Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater...

"Maybe Morelos should have done more interviews like this earlier in his Rangers career. In their absence, he's become a caricature. His unsmiling volatility on the pitch lending him a surly, menacing image.

"He can hardly blame the media, having done little to contradict it. He's no angel, yet sitting opposite him there's nothing demonic about him either.

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"He's laid back, affable, happy to banter about Colombian boxing, Irn Bru and square-sliced sausage. He talks of how he and his wife identify strongly with Glasgow culture - its friendliness and the no-nonsense down to earth attitudes of most meets.

"He took his time during the interview. Not once did he check his phone. Not even a subtle glance down at his watch. He gives long thoughtful answers for a 23-year-old.

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tannerall

tannerall 25,935

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I think it's actually a real tragedy that a nice guy like Alfredo, who has such tremendous natural talent, has to play in a cesspit like Scotland.  

No other football nation would have dealt him the crap he gets here.   

Maximum respect to the guy, our fans,  and Steve Gerrard especially for helping him stick with it. 

Even the fact he feels he has to apologise makes me feel bad. He doesn't need to,  he was targeted in what was basically a witch hunt by Rangers haters.

And no matter the outcome, we will all have been privileged to see this guy playing. 

 

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Supersonic

Supersonic 4,654

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You missed a tiny bit off the end:

"He's laid back, affable, happy to banter about Colombian boxing, Irn Bru and square-sliced sausage. He talks of how he and his wife identify strongly with Glasgow culture - its friendliness and the no-nonsense down to earth attitudes of most meets.

"He took his time during the interview. Not once did he check his phone. Not even a subtle glance down at his watch. He gives long thoughtful answers for a 23-year-old.

 

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Getstiffed

Getstiffed 8,863

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16 minutes ago, OhW said:

Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos discusses racism, life in Glasgow and why he believes he is sometimes misunderstood in an exclusive wide-ranging interview with Sky Sports News' Craig Slater.

Racist abuse from the stands and in the streets of Glasgow will not drive Morelos away from his adopted city, as the Colombia forward describes how he's adjusted to the Old Firm goldfish bowl.

He explains why referees and the media misunderstand him, but admits he needs to improve his discipline or risk missing out on a move to one of Europe's top leagues. Not that he has any plans to leave Steven Gerrard's side, who he reckons are still capable of ending celtic's title dominance.

Morelos also reveals how football enabled him to give back to his community and helped him dodge a life of drug dealing and crime that many in his neighbourhood fell into.

 

'Living in Glasgow is great but it is also complicated'

Morelos signed for Rangers in June 2017 yet this is the first time he's spoken at length about his time on Clydeside. His goals and the red cards have kept him in the headlines. Now he's opened up on a sinister side of his life in Scotland.

"Yes I've felt racism both on and off the pitch," he says. "It's very sad to feel that way but it's not something that affects me much. I just try to focus on my job which is scoring goals and winning matches.

"Sometimes it's frustrating when a crowd is throwing coins at me or throwing drinks at me, obviously saying racist things to me and making chants about my mother which is obviously very offensive. Those things affect my family and are frustrating but I am a strong person and I always believe things can be overcome with hard work. I just focus on my job and try to forget about these things.

"Playing in Old Firm games is the best feeling I've had in my football career. It's an incredible intensity and when you feel that passion from the crowd it makes you want to give everything you can on the pitch.

"Living in Glasgow is great but it is also complicated. The passion for football is incredible. Half the city loves me but half the city probably doesn't like me so much.

"I'm a person who likes to go out and meet people and go shopping and eat at restaurants but it's become difficult. Even though it's great to have people waiting for photos and to speak to you, it's also frustrating when people are insulting."

 

'I won't be driven out of Scotland'

Morelos' family is about to increase in number with wife Yesenia expecting their first child, so is he actually worried about his safety? Could the pressure-cooker environment drive him out of Scotland?

"No. At this point my goal is to stay focused on my play and help Rangers stay focused on winning the title and trophies and if I do that I think everything will be calm and good for my family," he says. "I'm generally unfazed and it's more about my family and them feeling nervous about the situation."

Morelos' eyes lit up at the mention of Steven Gerrard. The Rangers boss is clearly a big part of the club's appeal. "It's very motivating playing for a legend like Gerrard," he adds. "Playing with my team-mates and this coaching staff feels like having my second family and now it's trying to implement those things to make sure we do the right things on the pitch."

 

Morelos on disciplinary record and being misunderstood

Morelos has arguably been Rangers' problem child. His goalscoring record has been eye-catchingly prolific and consistent. Fourteen goals in this year's Europa League before Christmas - including six in the group stages - saw him set a new record. Yet it is his red card tally that gains more attention. Talking about his disciplinary problems for the first time, he accepts he's got work to do.

He said: "Yes I feel there are times that I probably get treated differently from other players if they were in the same situation, but I also realise and the staff have been great to help me realise that I have to change my behaviour too. I've learned from some of my mistakes.

"I characterise myself as a player who is very physical. That's been a benefit to me over time as I've been able to withstand rough hits and hard tackles. I've never had any fear or been scared of any player in the opposing team or any rival.

"I think here in this league because of the physicality and because of the passion for football there's been times when I've been physical with my play and therefore I have received yellow cards and red cards perhaps sometimes unjustly.

"Now I'm working with my team-mates. I'm working with the staff here and I think they always have my back and are supporting me. Hopefully, I can solve this issue and learn to play in the way they are looking for here."

After five red cards last season he had been free from controversy this campaign. That is until December and the "up yours" signal at Motherwell and the "throat-slitting" sign at celtic Park. Morelos claims neither gesture was intended to be offensive.

"In the match against Motherwell we were winning a very important match and I scored a very important goal and I celebrated - I didn't mean to offend anyone," he insists.

"I think if you look back at the video I have done this celebration at home and at away matches, it is just part of my celebration in the moment and I don't even think about it. I think it was misunderstood if people think I was trying to offend someone or direct it at the opposing crowd.

"In the match against celtic we were winning in extra-time. I fell down, whether that is simulation or not that's up to the referee but afterwards it was very frustrating to hear elements of the crowd screaming at me saying offensive things and racist words. I wasn't trying to instigate or incite anything else.

"I just wanted them to stop and it was sort of a symbol saying 'come on guys the game's over, this doesn't need to continue during the match. I understand if you are criticising but now it's over'. I'm not someone who wants to start a fight with anyone, I don't have any problem with any fans, any race and any religion and so I hope to be treated that same way.

"I don't pay any attention to the press here because I know people are going to say positive and negative things about me but this doesn't really affect my life or my family.

"I try to take everything they say negative and use it as a positive as motivation or as a reminder that I am doing things on the pitch and that's why I am receiving so much attention from the press now.

"I am trying to raise a family, I am someone who I consider to be very calm off the pitch and nothing anyone can write about me can change who I am."

 

'I never shy away from fights on the pitch'

Morelos can talk about cultural differences but can only hide behind that excuse for so long. Yet does his upbringing at least illuminate what makes him snap? Faced with confrontation in a pressure situation does he return to the streets of Cerete, the Colombian town he grew up in?

"I never shied away from any fights ever since I was a kid when I was on the pitch but off the pitch, it's very different," he says.

"On the pitch, I try to show my passion to make the defenders feel my presence to fight for the crowd. Here playing for Rangers when I hear the crowd screaming my name or when I hear the supporters for the club it motivates me, inspires me to fight even harder for the club.

"I think anyone who knows me and watches me on the pitch knows I will do anything to win and you might see me on the pitch with a serious face because when I'm in the moment that's all that I feel, but when the game is over and we win I am smiling and I'm happy."

 

Avoiding a life of drugs and crime

Where Morelos came from was an unforgiving place. He returns to Cerete now regularly to oversee the foundation he's started, distributing food parcels and lecturing the young on better ways to live their lives.

"Cerete is a town that's poor, there isn't much infrastructure or opportunities for most people so most people are working just to afford food, just to afford the basics," he says.

"In my home, I didn't have electricity, we didn't have air conditioning in a place that averages 40 degrees every day and because of that people choose to go down a different route where there is faster and easier money.

"A lot of people I know didn't have opportunities so decided to work in the drug business and work in crime. I hope I can be an example to the people in my town so that people in Cerete can go down a different route and focus on improving their lives in a way that doesn't involve crime."

 

'My target is 50 goals this season'

What route will he take? Morelos' short-term ambitions include a goal against celtic, which he believes God has ordained to come at the right time and a title with Rangers.

Beyond that, he's confident he could score goals in any of Europe's leagues. Linked with the Premier League and La Liga in recent transfer windows, is his disciplinary record a handicap to any move?

"Yes I can see how it could affect a potential move but I also know that scoring goals can always open more doors," he says. "Right now I feel that there are a lot of games left and hopefully, I can score 50 goals in the season and if I do what I need to do on the pitch with Rangers then everything will take care of itself.

"We have a saying in Colombia - 'goals are love' - and when I went to Finland I was able to score 30 plus goals and people wondered whether it was the strength of the league.

"Now I've come to Rangers and scored 30 plus goals and I feel that someone who scores goals like this scores goals anywhere.

"If I have the opportunity to play in another league I will score goals there as well. I'm a player who likes to be in the box and I like to finish but right now I am just focused on scoring as many goals for the rest of the season and this project with Rangers."

 

'Morelos is no angel, but he's no demon either'

Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater...

"Maybe Morelos should have done more interviews like this earlier in his Rangers career. In their absence, he's become a caricature. His unsmiling volatility on the pitch lending him a surly, menacing image.

"He can hardly blame the media, having done little to contradict it. He's no angel, yet sitting opposite him there's nothing demonic about him either.

And there you have it: We made you out to be monster because you refused to give us material for articles and stories.

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tannerall

tannerall 25,935

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3 minutes ago, Supersonic said:

You missed a tiny bit off the end:

"He's laid back, affable, happy to banter about Colombian boxing, Irn Bru and square-sliced sausage. He talks of how he and his wife identify strongly with Glasgow culture - its friendliness and the no-nonsense down to earth attitudes of most meets.

"He took his time during the interview. Not once did he check his phone. Not even a subtle glance down at his watch. He gives long thoughtful answers for a 23-year-old.

 

The guys class, quite simple.

Happy, positive, passionate about what he does, and a natural talent, a star, and comes across as someone any decent free thinking body would love to be acquainted with at any level.

Shows how fucked up Scotland is when someone like Alfredo, who came from such a poor background, achieved greatness, yet remains humble with no personal grievances, is fucked over by our corrupt sporting organisations, media and dubious politics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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tannerall

tannerall 25,935

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The only consolation is once Alfredo goes on elsewhere to achieve greatness, he will probably still be the wee down to earth guy he is now and reflect on his time with us, and the association with the fans with praise and respect. 

Just imagine the effect wee Alfie would have had on the destiny of last seasons league, and potentially this year's if he had been given a fair deal. 

Hence the reason he was targeted.  

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Robmc1

Robmc1 4,741

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10 minutes ago, Getstiffed said:

And there you have it: We made you out to be monster because you refused to give us material for articles and stories.

Is this the first stirrings of the club ‘PR’ machine actually being on the front foot for once and promoting a positive picture...

He really does come across as a humble down to earth guy, credit to him... 

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pollok-bear

pollok-bear 7,537

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The thumb - Scottish media - oh poor guy with mental health issues and we have great respect for him.           What he really is -  wee dirty rapist scumy ugly odd looking junkie 

Morelos - scottish media - hothead and thug and has serious disciplinary issues and brings on everything himself.

What he really is - a world class player who is going to go on to great things and of the park a fucking amazing guy with a great heart of gold and helps towards charity.

This country is fucking fucked dirty bead rattling bastards the lot of them

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Ger_onimo

Ger_onimo 20,488

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6 minutes ago, pollok-bear said:

The thumb - Scottish media - oh poor guy with mental health issues and we have great respect for him.           What he really is -  wee dirty rapist scumy ugly odd looking junkie 

Morelos - scottish media - hothead and thug and has serious disciplinary issues and brings on everything himself.

What he really is - a world class player who is going to go on to great things and of the park a fucking amazing guy with a great heart of hold and helps charity.

This country is fucking fucked dirty bead rattling bastards the lot 0f the..

The Griffiths/Morelos comparison couldn’t be any more blatant. One rule for white, Scottish scum players, another for black, foreign Rangers players

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tannerall

tannerall 25,935

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10 minutes ago, eejay the dj said:

What was the Sunday Liam reporting about today 

Front page shite .That is what this hateful cesspit is all about .I just want Alfredo to fire us to the title .Will make all us bears happy 

Even then, it still won't justify the shit thrown at him for what he is the now, quite simply a guy who did good things for Rangers Football Club. 

No matter how you think, it is obvious the treatment of Alfie has been totally  immoral, often unethical, and quite simply driven by all things Rangers hating.

It could be argued we target cellic players such as Brown and Griffiths for lack of profesisonal ethics and morals. even sportsmanship, but compared to those guys Alfredo is a fucking Saint.

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Flatcap

Flatcap 489

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Wish Sky would fuck off and leave it to the Scottish press to continue demonising the guy. The self confidence he exudes on the pitch is matched by his own spoken word. This is the first time the wider world has had a chance to  learn a bit about who he is and what makes him tick.......and he's taken that opportunity very shrewdly methinks. 

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