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Steven Gerrard hopes Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has learnt red-card lesson

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Scott Brown and Alfredo Morelos in the Old Firm
Image: Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos was sent off in their Old Firm defeat to Celtic in March

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard hopes Alfredo Morelos has learnt his lesson after sitting out the last four matches through suspension.

The Colombia international has scored 29 goals this season but has also been red carded four times (a fifth was rescinded), with his latest coming after he aimed an elbow at Celtic skipper Scott Brown during the Old Firm derby in March.

Gers have scored 11 goals in four victories during Morelos' enforced absence and Jermain Defoe could retain his starting place in Sunday's game with Hibernian - live on Sky Sports - and Gerrard has urged Morelos to show greater discipline if he earns his place back in the side.

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"Alfredo doesn't really hide his frustration well when he's suspended or missing games because he loves playing football," said Gerrard.

"You have to drag him off the training pitch at times, so I'm sure he's learned a lot over the last four weeks.

"Hopefully we will see that from now to the end of the season, if and when he's given an opportunity.

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Steven Gerrard says Rangers' new signing Jake Hastie is an exciting prospect and expects him to become a regular starter when he joins the club in the summer

"Discipline is a word that's come up a lot in our press conferences and we have been damaged, whether it be through injury or suspension, by not having key players available at key times.

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"The message to the whole team, not just Alfredo, is we want them to be aggressive and strong but in the right way as it's important we keep 11 players on the pitch and give ourselves the best chance of being successful."

Morelos may well have to wait for his chance to impress, however, with Gerrard suggesting he will keep faith with the players who have performed so well in his absence.

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Rangers striker Jermain Defoe says he feels the fittest he's felt all season after having a run of games in the side

"We have a big squad here and it is quite healthy at the moment, so people are pushing for people's positions in the team all over the pitch," he added.

"That's my job and that's what I get paid to do is to make big decisions. But I am certainly one who will be loyal to players."

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