Gary McAllister has launched a stout defence of Alfredo Morelos against the Colombian’s cut throat criticism.
The Rangers assistant has also claimed the striker is subject to ‘provocation’ from Premiership rivals as he faces spending much of the month suspended on the sidelines. McAllister, who arrived in Dubai with the Rangers squad last night, insists the decision of Morelos to draw his fingers across his throat after his Old Firm red card should not be mis-interpreted.
SFA compliance officer Claire Whyte is still mulling over the incident in injury time of the Light Blues’ 2-1 win at Parkhead on December 29, but McAllister is adamant there is no case to answer as he has seen it all before on the training ground.
Steven Gerrard’s number two also pointed to the Europa League qualifier at FC Midtjylland earlier in the season when Morelos made the same gesture after Joe Aribo had fired the Gers 2-0 in front.
McAllister said: “I’ve seen him make the sign two or three times before. Even when we come to the end of games in training sessions he’ll make that sign.
“It’s something he feels is ‘game over’ as in, it’s the end of the game. He did it against Midtjylland and we were six minutes over at Celtic and it was the end of the game - and some.
“I thought the referee put four minutes up and Alfredo was send off at six-and-a-half minutes, so the game was over.”
Morelos has now been sent off seven times in the last two seasons, although one of the red cards in the last campaign was later rescinded.
He misses the Scottish Cup tie against Stranraer because of a ban hanging over him in the competition from last season and his dismissal at Celtic sees him ruled out of league matches against St Mirren at home and Hearts away.
He could spend longer out the team if Whyte decides he has a case to answer and persuades an independent panel the in-form striker, with 28 goals this season, was not acting in the best interests of the game.
But McAllister said: “Prior to the two red cards in recent games, Alfredo’s discipline had been very good. He has certainly, certainly improved. It was visible.
“There is a lot of provocation towards Alfredo and when you watch games back and get the opportunity to watch them more closely there is quite a provocation.
“He’s a physical player and takes it as much as he gives it. He’s one of those players - it’s him and the centre backs and it is always going to be physical.”
