Rangers were always going to find it difficult to beat Celtic to the title this season.
Steven Gerrard had a huge job on his hands when he joined the club last summer but one player he felt was key from last season's team was Alfredo Morelos.
On form, the Colombian is one of the finest players in the league. His 29 goals in all competitions for Rangers this campaign says it all.
Even his most ardent of critics would find it hard to have anything bad to say on that front.
But he's beginning to cost Rangers on too many occasions and Gerrard appears to be at the end of his tether with him. He's had 17 yellow cards and five reds and arguably could have had one or two more.
How do you solve the problem? He's scored the goals, he gets plenty of assists, but he also gets red cards. He's broken into the Colombia set-up and that's evidence of his ability.
But the five sendings-off in all competitions have cost the Ibrox side dear. Four of those have come in the Premiership, and one in the Europa League.
It could be argued the Europa League red didn't cost Rangers anything as even with Morelos, the 2-2 draw at Villarreal would have been a huge success. Also, Gerrard’s side qualified for the group stage anyway.
However, the league, and suspension in the Betfred Cup, is a different story.
Rangers star Alfredo Morelos 'needs professional help' insists Steven Thompson
In the league when he has been sent off or banned, Rangers have dropped points against Aberdeen (twice), Dundee, St Johnstone, and Celtic.
It was draws against Aberdeen, Dundee, St Johnstone as well as a defeat against the Dons and Sunday's 2-1 reverse at Celtic Park.
In total, that adds up to 12 points dropped by Rangers in league games when Morelos has been suspended. Right now, Gerrard’s side are 13 points behind Celtic.
And add in the Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen and it’s an even greater cost.
The Colombian now has a four-game ban lingering over him, and Rangers can't afford to drop any more points or they could face a serious battle for second. He'll now miss more than half of the club’s seven remaining league matches.
Morelos' indiscipline in full
Red card vs Aberdeen (League) (rescinded)
Result: Aberdeen 1 Rangers 1 (two points)
Red card vs UFA (Europa League)
Result: UFA 1 Rangers 1 (qualified for Europa League)
Alfredo Morelos to be fined by Rangers with money 'going to fans'
Suspended vs Villarreal (Europa League)
Result: Villarreal 2 Rangers 2 (two points)
Suspended vs Aberdeen (Betfred Cup)
Result: Aberdeen 1 Rangers 0 (knocked out of Betfred Cup)
Red card vs Aberdeen (League)
Result: Rangers 0 Aberdeen 1 (three points)
Suspended vs Dundee (League)
Result: Dundee 1 Rangers 1 (two points)
Suspended vs Hamilton (League)
Alfredo Morelos laughed at by Scott Brown as Rangers hothead is sent off again
Result: Rangers 1 Hamilton 0 (no points)
Red card vs Aberdeen (League)
Result: Aberdeen 2 Rangers 4 (no points)
Suspended vs Kilmarnock (Scottish Cup)
Result: Kilmarnock 0 Rangers 0 (Replay in Scottish Cup)
Suspended vs St Johnstone (League)
Result: Rangers 0 St Johnstone 0 (two points)
Suspended vs Hamilton (League)
Result: Hamilton 0 Rangers 5 (no points)
Red card vs Celtic (League)
Result: Celtic 2 Rangers 1 (three points)
