STEVEN GERRARD reckons Alfredo Morelos led by example as Rangers earned a crucial Premiership victory over St Johnstone on Sunday.
The Colombian set Gerrard’s side on their way at McDiarmid Park as he netted early in the second half and when Connor Goldson headed home from a James Tavernier cross there was no way back for the Saints.
Jermain Defoe came off the bench to score twice late on and ensure Rangers followed up their midweek win over Feyenoord with three points in the top flight.
Gerrard said: “A lot is made of Thursday-Sundayand we did put a lot in on Thursday.
“But we say to the players it’s mental. You look at our energy and running in the second half and it proves it’s not down to fitness.
“We finished stronger than we started so it’s all in the mind. We need to start these games better.
“But I’ve always got belief we will always create and score. Alfredo got the breakthrough then it’s always tempting to get Jermain on because you know he can get goals.
“Alfredo deserved that goal for his endeavour and desire. Against a different type of opposition on Thursday he was unplayable.
“He’s in good place, he’s enjoying his football and he’s behaving himself. He was even shaking the referee by the hand on the way off so he’s definitely trying! He’s a match winner and I’m really pleased with him.
“I want my subs to contribute and Jermain got on and he’ll be thinking about a hat-trick.”
The goal from Morelos came at just the right time for Rangers as they gave themselves a perfect platform after a low key and low quality first half.
St Johnstone were denied by a terrific double block from Steven Davis before Defoe added the finishing touches to the victory.
Gerrard said: “First half we did ok and got into some really good areas. But we didn’t have much quality and it wasn’t connecting in the final third. That was why we didn’t create.
“We had one good chance with Alfredo but we need to try to create more.
“After the break we found our level of performance. We were outstanding in the second half.
“People will talk about the goal-line clearance but from the angles I’ve seen it’s not a goal.
“Davis has twice done well and I thought it epitomised his performance. He was man of the match by some distance. He was outstanding.”
Boss Gerrard stuck with largely the same players that beat Feyenoord as only Joe Aribo and Brandon Barker came into the side.
Nikola Katic again missed out on the squad as Filip Helander partnered Goldson and George Edmundson took a place on the bench.
Gerrard said: “When you’re at a club like Rangers it shows negatively putting four in an 18.
“Three works but they’re all in good form, they’re training hard and I’ve got to make that decision.
“It’s tactical and horses for course. Livingston will be a different challenge and he (Katic) might come in. I have to make tough decisions but that’s what I get paid to do and that’s life.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here