Wee Chesney: Rangers to big for Morelos

[Hutton2008 646]

Daily rhag and strachan so expect the pro taig propaganda.

Gordon Strachan believes Rangers is too big for players such as Alfredo Morelos.

Steven Gerrard is struggling with a disciplinary problem this season with his side being hit with eight red cards – the worst record in the Scottish Premiership.

And former Scotland and celtic manager Strachan insists the bad boy behaviour is down to players failing to handle being at a club the size of Rangers.

He points to the fact Morelos was never sent off while at HJK Helsinki but has been red-carded three times in this campaign, although one was rescinded.

Writing in his Paddy Power column Strachan, who insisted celtic are still two years ahead of their rivals, said: "A lot of Rangers’ signings have come from non-competitive games in the reserves, or at teams that haven’t had to compete, never a team like Rangers. So it comes as a shock when you arrive in Glasgow.

Morelos has been shown three red cards this season(Image: Getty Images)

 

"It takes a while to get used to this 24-hour demand for success, where you have to win everything. The first few months are difficult, that’s why it’s handy to have players who have been there a while. At celtic, it was useful having players to indoctrinate the new boys in what it meant to play in an Old Firm.

"And that’s where the disciplinary issues have come from. It’s people not understanding, being thrown into Rangersfrom a small league or under-23 level, and taking on the expectation of winning every game. It’s too much for them and they become too emotional.

"So if the game’s running away from them, they’re so desperate to win that they cannot keep their emotions in check. The club, at the moment, is maybe too big for them to understand.

"If you’ve got 50,000 people screaming that you win every tackle, you go in there jumping about and shouting your head off, you get sent off.

"For some, petulance is a problem. If you look at Alfredo Morelos’s record at Helsinki, did he keep getting sent off there? No. It’s the fact he’s playing for Rangers, and it’s testing his mental strength, on and off the pitch.

"It’s a real shock to people to go there, and maybe it’s too much for him. And he’s letting his team down. The fans might cheer him off, and the manager might support him publicly, but he’s knackering the team, and risking the result."

Gerrard was fuming after the draw at Dundee(Image: SNS Group)

 

Rangers dropped another two points in the draw at Dundee at the weekend – a performance that sparked fury from Gerrard.

The Ibrox boss slammed his players as he warned them to improve or he will replace them.

Strachan, though, doesn’t think that will prove easy as he dismissed the club’s recruitment as unimpressive.

The 61-year-old added: "Who in the English Premier League would take any of Steven’s players at the moment? I don’t think there’d be a rush for them. But, for celtic’s squad, there’d be a scramble for one or two of them.

Strachan is a fan of McGregor

Callum McGregor won't leave celtic for anything less than 'crazy money' insists Craig Gordon 

"Rangers seem better suited to European fixtures. The ideas that Steven and Gary McAllister have in terms of playing football is more beneficial when you’re counter attacking. In Scotland, teams sit against you, and you need people to open them up.

"That’s what celtic have got with Callum McGregor and James Forrest, someone who can beat two people. Rangers are doing all the right things, the club is trying to go in the right direction, but do they have the quality of celtic? No.

"The final pass is a problem, James Tavernier is the only one I see just now who regularly makes assists. He’s got that bit of quality that’s a wee bit different. The question for Rangers is where do they get more of that quality? It’s not easy to find, and the recruitment has been less than impressive for Rangers.

"Every transfer is a gamble. There are players in England on £500,000-a-week and they’re not successful, so there are no guarantees. And you have to gamble sometimes. So Steven is right – yes, he has to keep trying to find players.

"I’m sure he’ll be looking at this youth team as well but, if there’s nothing there that’ll blow you away, you have to go into the market. There’s only so much coaching you can do, there’s a point where players can’t improve any more so you have to look elsewhere."

Strachan accepts there is a challenge to celtic this season – but insisted Rangers remain years behind them.

He said: "It’s great to have a title race in Scotland – Rangers could win the title, but I don’t think they will. celtic are still by far the best squad, who’ve been together a long time and know what’s needed, with individual players who can win games.

"celtic are at least two years ahead of Rangers just now. But I’m sure Steven and Gary will bring them closer and closer – as long as it’s not too close, that’s all right with me."

[Hutton2008 646]

On Morelos i think he makes a valid point. 

It takes more than standard game time to develop a player in the Rangers mould. It’s the constant expectation and growing from that and it takes time.

[Jamie0202 12,561]

4 minutes ago, Hutton2008 said:

He points to the fact Morelos was never sent off while at HJK Helsinki but has been red-carded three times in this campaign, although one was rescinded. 

I'll use the same stat and say that there's a witch hunt against Alfredo in Scotland. He has made some silly decisions himself which have cost us but other decisions have been totally undeserved. Last season it was Jack. This season it's Morelos. It's too much of a stretch to say it's just a coincidence.

[StaunchLondonGer 1,651]

"celtic are at least two years ahead of Rangers just now. But I’m sure Steven and Gary will bring them closer and closer – as long as it’s not too close, that’s all right with me."

shame you weren't sufficiently "sellick minded" then Gordon, isn't it

[Prso's headband 35,917]

I point to the player being refereed to a different standard, the player being vilified in the media at every turn, managers moaning about him diving, which he’s been booked (wrongly again what a surprise) for once in his Rangers career. 

This is one of the best talents this country has seen over the last decade and every clown going lines up to take a pop. 

His red against Aberdeen was totally justified, one was rescinded and the other was two of the softest yellow cards you’ll ever see. 

This media potrayal of hot-head badboy Morelos is nothing short of embarrassing. 

Can’t recall Edouard getting the same treatment after getting summoned to court for shooting someone with an airgun in France. Cellic weren’t signing a hot head bad boy, oh no they were signing the greatest striker ever. 

Or what about Scottish internationals that accumulate almost twice as many bookings as Morelos in a season? Na they just love the hard physical side of the game though. 

Fuck the media and Strachan

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

What a load of bollocks. 

[They Gnu 11,553]

6 minutes ago, Prso's headband said:

I point to the player being refereed to a different standard, the player being vilified in the media at every turn, managers moaning about him diving, which he’s been booked (wrongly again what a surprise) for once in his Rangers career. 

This is one of the best talents this country has seen over the last decade and every clown going lines up to take a pop. 

His red against Aberdeen was totally justified, one was rescinded and the other was two of the softest yellow cards you’ll ever see. 

This media potrayal of hot-head badboy Morelos is nothing short of embarrassing. 

Can’t recall Edouard getting the same treatment after getting summoned to court for shooting someone with an airgun in France. Cellic weren’t signing a hot head bad boy, oh no they were signing the greatest striker ever. 

Or what about Scottish internationals that accumulate almost twice as many bookings as Morelos in a season? Na they just love the hard physical side of the game though. 

Fuck the media and Strachan

Some of our fans are too stupid to see the media’s role in all of this.

[gogzy 31,195]

I'd say that around half the bookings he gets are unwarranted.  He seems to be refereed to a different standard than any other player in Scotland.

That being said, the other half of his bookings are usually due to silly petulance.

He isn't a dirty player by any stretch of the imagination.

Rangers are too big for him yet he is the top scorer in the league and in the team.   The media are fucking pathetic.

[bornabear 6,221]

" Never sent off while at Helsinki"

Why cant the bitterness of Strachan, a taig, see that it's all down to the poor refereeing in Scotland.

Alfredo is being targeted, end of

[Lloyd 10,756]

Just now, bornabear said:

" Never sent off while at Helsinki"

Why cant the bitterness of Strachan, a taig, see that it's all down to the poor refereeing in Scotland.

Alfredo is being targeted, end of

Well one of the reds wasn’t given by a ref in Scotland, one was correctly rescinded and the other you can’t argue with cause he was stupid asf. It’s not solely down to the referees being shite, the media haven’t helped but Morelos really doesn’t help himself either. He knows he’ll get booked for reacting to referees the way he does but he still does it.

[bornabear 6,221]

2 minutes ago, Siwel said:

Well one of the reds wasn’t given by a ref in Scotland, one was correctly rescinded and the other you can’t argue with cause he was stupid asf. It’s not solely down to the referees being shite, the media haven’t helped but Morelos really doesn’t help himself either. He knows he’ll get booked for reacting to referees the way he does but he still does it.

Fair point and I see what you're saying.

[Hutton2008 646]

4 minutes ago, gogzy said:

I'd say that around half the bookings he gets are unwarranted.  He seems to be refereed to a different standard than any other player in Scotland.

That being said, the other half of his bookings are usually due to silly petulance.

He isn't a dirty player by any stretch of the imagination.

Rangers are too big for him yet he is the top scorer in the league and in the team.   The media are fucking pathetic.

The media play a massive part in perceptions of fans and referees.

Kinda Related - the whole racism saga down south involving Raheem Sterling and the Daily Mail is testament to this. Their reporting of other players doing exactly the same thing but headlines with a completely different context - alters or certainly affects perceptions 

[Hutton2008 646]

Just now, Hutton2008 said:

The media play a massive part in perceptions of fans and referees.

Kinda Related - the whole racism saga down south involving Raheem Sterling and the Daily Mail is testament to this. Their reporting of other players doing exactly the same thing but headlines with a completely different context - alters or certainly affects perceptions 

Not for a second saying there was intended racism by the DM (although I wouldn’t put it past them) just saying they write to certain stereotypes when it involves sterling or lukaku etc but when it’s Phil Foden or someone similar they report with completely different context. 

Same on occasion with Jack, Morelos and others who get a reputation.

I also agree Morelos shows immaturity that he will grow out of - hopefully - and that’s the point in the post. Chesney is right to point out a lot of the players we have wouldn’t have realised what life would be like and probably weren’t ready.

[graeme_4 35,153]

Bit of a mix to be honest, and I hate to agree with Strachan. 

Take Aberdeen at Ibrox for example, we’re losing and he misses an absolute sitter - he loses the plot and picks up a second yellow. He’s off. 

Rewind half an hour though, and he’s booked because he’s Alfredo Morelos, not for the tackle. An extremely soft booking. 

The media are targeting him because he’s good, managers are targeting him because he’s ragdolling their caveman centre backs and he’s under constant pressure and scrutiny. That’s what comes with being a Rangers player these days. Either handle it or you don’t, he’s doing well all things considered - but totally fucked it last week. 

[Rum Ham 2,063]

The mongo pundits should really stop with the random number of years behind the taigs bs. 

It's went from 5 years behind, to 2 years in six months. 

[Hutton2008 646]

Just now, graeme_4 said:

Bit of a mix to be honest, and I hate to agree with Strachan. 

Take Aberdeen at Ibrox for example, we’re losing and he misses an absolute sitter - he loses the plot and picks up a second yellow. He’s off. 

Rewind half an hour though, and he’s booked because he’s Alfredo Morelos, not for the tackle. An extremely soft booking. 

The media are targeting him because he’s good, managers are targeting him because he’s ragdolling their caveman centre backs and he’s under constant pressure and scrutiny. That’s what comes with being a Rangers player these days. Either handle it or you don’t, he’s doing well all things considered - but totally fucked it last week. 

Exactly. He’s still a kid too. Still a lot of maturing to be done. Hopefully get a little smarter

[Hutton2008 646]

2 minutes ago, Rum Ham said:

The mongo pundits should really stop with the random number of years behind the taigs bs. 

It's went from 5 years behind, to 2 years in six months. 

They can talk like that all they like. When we win it will have been from allegedly being behind them. 

We get consistent against the lesser teams and there really is a race. Doesn’t matter what happens on any given OF game. They don’t win leagues (often). It’s about finding a good level of consistency against the rest. 

 

[loyalfollower 1,543]

When we strolled the league in 99-2000 folks said we were light years in front of celtic.   But it changed in 1 window they got a few good signings and a good motivator as manager and there was about a 30 point swing by the following season which resulted with them winning a treble.

to put years on that in football is foolish. They are infront by the skin of their teeth paying 6 times more than we pay, 3-4 quality players and we’ll overtake them but the players brought in have to be winners from clubs that demand success.   

On the Morelos theory it’s quite plausible but ultimately just an opinion not backed up by facts.  The facts are he played the same way in Finland as he does for us-JJ says as much in a previous interview.  The lad doesn’t help himself but he has been hard done by on more than 1 occasion. Even when he gets fouled the refs have managed to book Morelos.

[Boybluesy 3,815]

For me he talks a lot of sense. We've got loan players who haven't played at a high level and not facing 50k screaming bears who at times are far too harsh. Also Alfredo has been a fekn fud at times and let the side down. He needs to learn fast. Costa when he was down south would be a good role model. Rag dolled every fucker and rarely got sent off. 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

8 minutes ago, Boybluesy said:

For me he talks a lot of sense. We've got loan players who haven't played at a high level and not facing 50k screaming bears who at times are far too harsh. Also Alfredo has been a fekn fud at times and let the side down. He needs to learn fast. Costa when he was down south would be a good role model. Rag dolled every fucker and rarely got sent off. 

Costa up here in a Rangers jersey and he’s booked every game and sent off at least 6/7 times a season. 

[TMB 14,167]

He seems to lash out at times kicking, shoving, or talking back to the Ref, and he's not listening to the advice to stop it - And it's costing us.  I'm pretty shocked to read he was never sent off for Helsinki I just assumed he's always been like this but apparently not. 

 

[big blue Fin 3,724]

You know that almost reads as though that wee ginger dickhead doesn't like us very much.

[BlueKnight87 17,435]

17 minutes ago, TMB said:

He seems to lash out at times kicking, shoving, or talking back to the Ref, and he's not listening to the advice to stop it - And it's costing us.  I'm pretty shocked to read he was never sent off for Helsinki I just assumed he's always been like this but apparently not. 

 

Officiating in other countries tend to be different. He might very well have played the same way there and just had more leniency. 

Our refs however are card happy. He needs to learn quickly they'll be out to punish every incident he's involved in.

That's down to this media campaign to paint him as a hot head liability which shows no signs of stopping. 

He needs to cut out the petulant stuff like shoving and hitting out. The best response score the goals and ram the words back down his critic's throats. 

[TMB 14,167]

19 minutes ago, loyalfollower said:

When we strolled the league in 99-2000 folks said we were light years in front of celtic.   But it changed in 1 window they got a few good signings and a good motivator as manager and there was about a 30 point swing by the following season which resulted with them winning a treble.

Things can absolutely turn around overnight in football.  The appointment of a capable manager is all it takes and you gave a great example in MON.  A more recent one would be the job done by Clarke at Kilmarnock.  The second time Walter Smith came to Rangers we seen a quick turn in form and ended up in European final.  These guys have a style of football they like to play and can get guys capable of performing within that system.  

I don't see this sort of quick turnaround with Gerrard.  We play our best football going 4-3-3 but it's lacked consistency and I fear throwing millions trying to bring in more quality attackers is the only way forward.  I like Candeias and Kent but they don't offer enough of a goal threat and we lack a number 10 who can unlock defences from central areas.   

[TMB 14,167]

4 minutes ago, big blue Fin said:

You know that almost reads as though that wee ginger dickhead doesn't like us very much.

I don't think Strachan is a Rangers hater.  This is why the celtic support never took to him despite the success he had there.  They wanted someone more "celtic minded", meaning a Rangers hater, and were happy to chase Strachan and appoint Lennon instead.  Lennon was a guy the celtic support could more closely relate to which says a lot.