Rangers coach Jonatan Johansson insists Alfredo Morelos can come back from horror miss against Celtic

RANGERS coach Jonatan Johansson has backed Alfredo Morelos to come back stronger from his nightmare miss in last Sunday’s Old Firm match.

Johansson has experienced the pressure of being a striker for the Ibrox club and watched Morelos in Finland before he came to Scotland.

He sees the Colombian in training every day, and thinks it’s often forgotten that Morelos is still only 21 years old.

The Finn said: “People sometimes forget how young he is because he plays such a physical game.

“In the last two or three years, he has moved countries twice and had to learn new languages. These have been big changes for him. Moving from Finland to Rangers is a huge step up.

“He has been on a long journey for such a young lad, but he is a tough boy.

“I think the way he has played in the two games against Celtic and the way he has created chances in them shows how good he is.

“You want to score against your big rivals in any league. The goals unfortunately didn’t come, but I’m sure they will.

“Missing chances will make him angry.

“As a striker, I knew what it was like to miss big chances and you have to take it on the chin.

“He was disappointed like everyone else, but it will make him a better player and stronger for the future.

“You have to leave it behind you and accept it.”

Goals are any striker’s main currency but Johansson accepts that communication is also important to being a team player.

He says Morelos will become a stronger force once he has mastered the English language.

He went on: “He has a great personality but he doesn’t speak English that well right now.

“He is taking lessons, and once he gets the language, it will help him even more.

“He loves playing football and you see him coming alive in games and even in training.

“He is very happy with life right now.

“Signing his new deal proves he is happy at Rangers. This season has been a success for him – even with the Celtic setback.”