Alfredo Morelos must keep his focus says Steven Gerrard after Rangers exit

Steven Gerrard admits Alfredo Morelos has had his head turned by rumours of a move to Lille.
Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (right) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba battle for the ball in the UEFA Europa League, quarter-final. Pic by PA.Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (right) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba battle for the ball in the UEFA Europa League, quarter-final. Pic by PA.
Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (right) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba battle for the ball in the UEFA Europa League, quarter-final. Pic by PA.

But the Ibrox boss does not think the constant transfer speculation swirling around the Colombian was to blame as his miserable 2020 continued last night in Germany during Rangers’ Europa League exit to Bayer Leverkusen by 1-0 and 4-1 on aggregate.

“I don’t know (if Morelos will still be here next week) because I can’t control what goes on outside,” Gerrard told BT Sport. “Everyone knows he’s had his head turned, for sure.

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“We just move forward. My focus is on the team and the players who want to be here. My focus is certainly now on St Mirren.

“If a bid comes, and I’ll say it again, that the board like and are interested in and the player tells me face-to-face that he wants to go, then we’ll see what happens.

“I don’t think (the speculation is showing in his performances). I think Alfredo is professional enough to block the noise out and focus.

“He hasn’t had the best of games tonight but we haven’t as a team either and there’s certainly no blame been pointed at anyone.

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“We’ve given it our best shot and unfortunately we’ve fallen short, we all have to improve – but Alfredo needs to remain focused.

“We’re disappointed with the result, I don’t think we found our level of performance that would have allowed us to give it a good go.

“The run has been amazing, the players have given me everything.”

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