Michael Beale has Rangers decision to make after ‘disrespectful’ Alfredo Morelos reaction v Celtic
Michael Beale now holds a major decision to make on Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers future after his “disappointing” reaction to being subbed against Celtic in the Viaplay cup final.
The Gers left Hampden Park empty-handed after the 2-1 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side in a somewhat underwhelming performance against their Old Firm rivals.
Morelos, who remains out of contract at Ibrox in June, lashed out at an advert hoarding after being substituted for Antonio Colak by Beale late on against their fierce rivals.
The Gers star scored for the Gers and gave his side slim hopes against the Hoops, but was taken off and replaced by Antonio Colak as Beale desperately tried to come up with a solution to level the score.
And the Colombian’s reaction has brought major criticism since the game, with former Blackpool and Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam branding the striker “disrespectful” after his antics on a “worldwide stage”.
He said to Ice 36 as quoted by Football Scotland. (28 February): “Morelos was obviously frustrated because he’d just scored a goal and five minutes later he gets taken off. I also think it’s disrespectful to his teammates.
“He’s on a worldwide stage with a lot of people watch and it doesn’t look good. It’s not good for the team or the culture within the group.
“Overall I don’t like it. It’s a tough one but I think it’s disrespectful to Beale and Colak.”
With the striker’s contract at the Ibrox coming to an end in June, and the former QPR manager looking to further rebuild his squad both in recruitment and a cultural reboot, keeping Morelos who holds a worrying record for several controversial moments at the club may prove increasingly unlikely.
And Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas believes that the player’s performance and antics against Celtic may spell the end of his career Ibrox, saying [via Scottish Daily Express 27 February]: “The League Cup Final must surely be Alfredo Morelos’s final stand.
“I don’t know why Michael Beale has stood by him for so long. Steven Gerrard did the same thing. Time after time and red card after red card. Why do they keep playing Morelos?
The Gers will be hoping for further improvement next season, especially when challenging their fierce rivals for major success such as the league title and in League Cup and keeping Morelos who continues to flatter in big moments may well prove a detriment to Beale’s long-term ambitions at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, the club have pulled of a major transfer coup with a deal already signed for a player who was interesting two English giants.