GRAEME Murty has urged Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos to put his missed sitter against Celtic behind him – by finishing the season as Scotland’s top scorer and forcing his way into the Columbia squad for Russia 2018 at the same time.
Murty admitted that Morelos, who struck the post from just a few yards out in the closing stages of a game at Ibrox on Sunday the home team ended up losing 3-2, had been despondent during training at Auchenhowie this week.
Yet, the Scot has faith in the 21-year-old, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions during the 2017/18 campaign, and has backed him to finish this term strongly and put himself into contention for a call up by his country.
Jose Pekerman, the Columbia head coach, has not included the centre forward in his squad for the friendlies against France in Paris and Australia in London later this month, but his club manager believes he can still be involved at the World Cup.
“When you come to this football club you can gain attention and gain notice across the world by performing at a high level,” he said. “Bruno (Alves) is in the Portugal squad rightly, Declan John’s had a call-up (from Wales) while Jamie Murphy, Russell Martin and Jason Cummings are in the Scotland squad.
“I personally think it (not getting into the Columbia squad) should light a fire under Alfredo. I think he should look at his team-mates who are getting that recognition and be desperate to go and be one of them.
“If that’s the way he uses it, as motivation, it’s good for me and good for him and it could be good for his country because he has some attributes we like and we hope his national team likes them.
“He should use that as a motivation and a desire and drive to improve in certain areas to try to get that recognition. We all wanted that as players, we all want to go and get to the next level, we all want to get that recognition. I believe it’s the ultimate accolade to play for your country so that’s how he should use it.”
Murty added: “I believe we have to get him in front of the goal again, get him over it, get him back on the horse and get him confident again. It’s up to us to get him in that situation again.
“He was down, he was low. I believe the best way to get over it is to get another one. Get a goal. Go and get another one. Finish as the top scorer in the country and finish the season on a high.
“He’s very similar to lots of guys who have changed countries in that he needs a wee bit of support. He has a fantastic support system around him, the players are good with him, he wants to be involved.
“He’s at his happiest in the 18 yard box scoring goals so we try to structure a significant portion of his week so he gets to do that. He will gain confidence from doing that but as soon as he gets a goal everything else will be behind him.
“He’ll have a big smile on his face and he’ll be desperate to get the next one. Kris Boyd lives to score goals. Alfredo is the same. We just have to make sure we give him the opportunity and that when it comes he goes and takes it.”
“I have options. I could take him out. I could play someone up there alongside him, I could change the formation and structure. You’ll have to see what we do. But you have to be respectful of players and their psyche.
“I’m not a big proponent of dumping someone after one mistake. I’m a big proponent of supporting a player throughout what challenge they are going through. You have to be respectful to them and tailor what you do towards them.”
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