MARK HATELEY knows what it is like to be a young player trying to make a name for himself in a different league, an unfamiliar environment and a country many miles from home.

So when the Rangers legend sees Alfredo Morelos lose his cool and cost his team, he is better placed than most to understand what is going through the striker’s head.

Morelos made as many headlines for his disciplinary record as his goal return during his second season at Rangers. That need not be the case third time around, though.

“It is possible to change - you just have to find a way to channel the aggression and explosiveness in a different direction,” Hateley said.

“I’m the best example I know of that. I got sent off in my first ever game for Milan, in the Copa Italia, for heading butting Brescia’s centre half!

“I was 21, similar to Alfredo, and you do daft things when you're young - and you live to regret them.

“But the manager we had at the time helped me discover a better way to be. Nils Liedholm, who was the centre forward for Sweden in the 1958 World Cup Final, he was an example for me.

“He took me to one side, explained things to me and taught me how to play as a European striker.

“But also how to approach everything. He was a typical Swede, laid back, wise, well-spoken, and he was a great tutor teaching me how not to lash out but to use my energy in protecting the ball more, to focus on denying the opponent.”

At times last term, Rangers fans were divided on Morelos. It looked as though they couldn’t live without him, but some reckoned they couldn’t live with him for much longer.

Only time will tell if Steven Gerrard has the chance to try and get the best out of the Colombian this season. If Morelos stays, Hateley is confident the Ibrox boss can do just that.

“I've watched Steven with Alfredo, he’s all over him.,” he said. “Steven had his own moments as a player and has learned from them, and he’ll know he can't take all the fire away, but he also knows he has to find a way of channelling in a way that keeps him on the pitch and keeps him effective.

“He’ll score goals, whatever club he's at. And that is a problem, that he’s in demand and there’s a long way to go until the window closes. Everyone has a number, that’s the way of football the days.

“But the fact there’s still nearly two months to go before the window closes, a lot can happen both ways.”