Alfredo Morelos’ mini huff at being subbed against Aberdeen came as no surprise to Nacho Novo, who insisted it’s a GOOD thing to be a “moany b******”.
Steven Gerrard admitted he was surprised to see the Colombian’s reaction to being replaced during the league leaders’ 4-0 demolition of the Dons at Ibrox.
Morelos theatrically removed his gloves and threw them away after being replaced by Jermain Defoe during the second half before taking his place in the stand.
Former Rangers striker Novo was no stranger to the red mist himself, but explained you want your big players to be unhappy at being taken off as it shows they have the desire to do as much as possible for the team.
“Strikers are quite selfish sometimes and I was like that. In fact, I will I admit I used to be a moany b******!
“But it means you care. Would you prefer players to be happy and smiling when they come off? Players are selfish, including me. “Nobody wants to be substituted and you end up raging with yourself but at the same time you need to get on with it
“Alfredo’s reaction when he came off is something that happens all the time. He shouldn’t be criticised for that. He wanted to play, score and do everything.
“And his reaction wasn’t directed at Steven Gerrard - that’s just his character. I know Steven Gerrard said he was surprised but I wasn’t.
“When you try to score and nothing drops for you then you get frustrated but I’m sure Steven Gerrard won’t have a problem with Alfredo.
“If I was taken off in a game that my team won 4-0, like Alfie on Sunday, then I’d be happy that my team won but also raging with myself.
Sometimes when you’re not having a good game you still want to do your best and prove yourself but the manager makes the decision and you have to accept it.”
Novo explained the difference between being angry at a decision and how it affects you, and being angry and lashing out at the man making it.
However, given who Novo’s gaffer was, there was little chance of him getting away with the latter, although the boss was experienced enough to know exactly how to handle the hot headed Spaniard.
He told the Daily Record: “Of course, you can still get angry but it’s a good angry. I never gestured to Walter Smith or anything like that because he would have grabbed my neck and knocked me out!
“Seriously, Walter used to just laugh at me. He knew me and my character so it’s about man-management. As long as you don’t disrespect your manager or team-mates.
“But I remember after games where I failed to score I would go back to my house and watch the game over and over again to see what I did wrong and where I could improve.
“Players have different personalities. Alfredo is Colombian and lots of South Americans have that fiery temperament but that’s a good thing and if you take that away from him then he won’t be the same player.
“He does a lot of work for the team and he shouldn’t try too hard to score. He needs to just go out and play, relax and the goals will come.”
