Gerrard praises Morelos for providing 'spark' in Livingston win
Steven Gerrard admitted his love for Alfredo Morelos was growing after the Rangers striker came off the bench to end Livingston's resistance at Ibrox.
The Colombian was rested as Rangers kicked off the first of four matches in 11 days but he came on for Kyle Lafferty in the 62nd minute with the hosts struggling to finish off Livingston after Daniel Candeias' 20th-minute headed opener.
As Livingston threatened an equaliser, Morelos drilled home with seven minutes left before setting up Scott Arfield to net from close range and seal a 3-0 win which lifted Rangers to second in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The only down side was a yellow card which will trigger a suspension for the striker, who took his goal tally to 16 this season, two off his total for his debut campaign in Glasgow.
Gerrard said:”`There is no doubt he is going to shatter what he got last season because we are creating chances, he is happy, he is enjoying his work. I'm told by people who have been around a long time it's the happiest he has looked.
“He recently signed a new deal. He has just got to keep going. The key thing for us is to keep him healthy and try to avoid these yellow cards.
“I'll fight tooth and nail to keep him here as long as possible. I will fall out with people to keep him here, that's how much I like him. I love him and respect him.
“But I also understand every player has his price, but from day one I have told you I love him, and that hasn't changed. It has grown, it is getting more.
“I want to keep him here as long as possible because he makes my job a lot easier.”
Morelos appeared to be booked for dissent after referee Nick Walsh tried to speak to the 22-year-old and Livingston defender Alan Lithgow following a clash between the pair.
Gerrard said: “No complaints. He will miss Dundee away now.”
It was a 13th yellow card of the season for Morelos but Gerrard said: “I need to share some of that blame as well. I'm asking him to be in people's faces, I'm asking him to be aggressive and press and not stop short, and really do what other centre-forwards do to our defenders.
“Look, his performance for 30 minutes was superb, and we have just got to enjoy him. He's a top player.”
Livingston were missing four strikers and started with midfielder Scott Robinson up front, and manager Gary Holt felt they deserved a lot more.
“We went toe to toe, we were well in the game, and I firmly believe second half we were in the better team,” he said. “It's disappointing to come away 3-0 because it's harsh on them, but we have to take it on the chin.
“We just never got that wee bit of luck in front of goal.
“I do believe we should definitely have had one penalty first half. It's a stonewall penalty for me.
“I think it was Glenn Middleton, he doesn't see him coming, Dec (Gallagher) has toed it away and his leg has followed through and it's got to kick something. It kicked Dec and it's a penalty."