Alfredo Morelos and red cards have really become an iconic duo over in Scotland this season, but it hasn’t always been that way. Indeed, though it’s now hard to believe, there was once a time in which the Colombian wasn’t notorious for his antics both on and off the field.
Of course, this is particularly poignant now, given that Moreos was recently sent off yet again in the SPFL this season. On Sunday, he let his team down by being sent off in the first half against Celtic in the Old Firm derby – and that serves to highlight just how frustrating his campaign has been for Rangers fans.
He’s a fantastic player, and in terms of raw football ability, nobody else comes close at Ibrox.
However, the reputation that he’s built now could prove to be the undoing of him – and that’s a shame, because it wasn’t always that way. Back when he picked up his first red card at the start of the season against Aberdeen, the reaction from Rangers fans was very different, as can be seen below…
Never a red
— Andy kilpatrick (@andykilpatrick1) August 5, 2018
Never a red
— Milly’s Ribena (@OkSourcee) August 5, 2018
Thatll be the first of many overturned red cards id say this season
— Jayco (@JayCarruthers72) August 5, 2018
Morelos had done nothing too sever to deserve a red card it would be more understandable if it was a yellow but defenetly not a red
— Luca Harte (@Lucamunroharte) August 5, 2018
Never a red. So corrupt.
— Rfc_chris (@Rfcchris1) August 5, 2018
Once again we know what we are up against. Giving other teams everything. Lets see if other teams get pulled up for off the ball incidents.
— William Peters (@wp_peters) August 5, 2018
I’m assuming this was spotted by the linesman. Therefore why no booking for the clear off the ball barge??!! Shocking officials all round!
— Billy Kelly (@pompey1691) August 5, 2018
Yellow at most. Shocking decision by referee team
— andrew law (@Lawman1872) August 5, 2018
Now, whether they were right or not to defend him in that instance isn’t what’s important here. Rather, the thing that sticks out here is just how unanimously behind Morelos all fans were. They aren’t too concerned about the sending off, because they’re so supportive of him. But is that still the case now?
Well, there’s no denying that the tide has begun to change somewhat. Morelos is no longer the cult hero that he was even a couple of months ago, and naturally, fans are tiring of his antics. Furthermore, whilst claims of corruption may have been relevant then, the reality is that Morelos has got his reputation for a reason, and the vast majority of his red cards this season have been justifiable.
Performances can only get you so far, because when the going gets tough as it did against Celtic, Morelos was nowhere to be seen, and so it’s no surprise that fans felt let down as a result.
At this stage back in August, fans simply had no idea of what was to come. The odd red card happens, of course, it does, but 5 in one season? That’s almost unheard of.
It’s fair to say that Morelos has a lot of work to do to get the fans back on side.
Rangers fans – how did you react to this red card? Let us know below!
