Ex-Fifa official tells Alfredo Morelos ‘not to flip out’ after ‘dangerous’ Rangers twist
Keith Hackett has told Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos to refrain from using his arm or elbow as a “defensive mechanism” following his latest dismissal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official was reacting to the 26-year-old’s seventh red card for the Ibrox club.
Morelos was shown a red card in the closing stages of Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Hibernian on Saturday (20 August) for an elbow on Marijan Cabraja.
Morelos will receive a two-game ban and will miss the league game against Ross County in the league and the Glasgow club’s Premier Sports Cup game against Queen of the South.
The Colombia international has since been axed from the Gers’ Champions League squad by Giovanni van Bronckhorst – who cited “fitness and attitude concerns”.
John Lundstram was also dismissed during Saturday’s game – leaving Rangers susceptible to a late equaliser.
Hackett claimed Morelos must be “more clever” if he is to use his arm deliberately in an attempt to win or keep possession.
He told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “Look, he’s an outstanding player.
“He’s world-class. There’s no question of his ability, but sometimes players of his ability have a bit of a flaw about them.
“If you’re going to use your arm deliberately against your opponent, you’ve got to be a bit more clever than that.
“This was an easy one. The arm and elbow came into contact with the opposition player, and he’s endangered the safety of that player.
“Don’t flip out. Don’t use that arm as a defensive mechanism.”
In other news, pundit slams referee Willie Collum as Rangers contact Scottish FA.